COACH Paul Roos says co-captain Jack Grimes is a welcome addition back in to the side for Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.

Grimes has missed the past two matches with a hamstring injury and Roos said the defender was ready to go.

“He’s trained really strongly, so getting him back has been really positive,” he said on Roos’ Views. 

“He’s been a good player for us this year, so getting him back in the backline – the co-captain – he’ll rotate through that area.

Roos said youngster Christian Salem had also earned his recall.

“Christian played really well last week,” he said.  

Roos said he was eager for his team to maximise its final three matches of the season.

“We’ve been in front 10 times for four wins. We’ve got to continue to be competitive and we’ve ticked that box and the next stage for us is to win games of footy,” he said.

“We probably thought we played better last week, particularly in the second half against Hawthorn. We were disappointing the week before against Brisbane.

“Hawthorn is a super team and to be competitive for a half – in the second half – was really pleasing. The first 15 minutes [of the match] was pretty good, but their ball use was terrific.

“The three weeks are going to be similar – we just need to play better football and keep improving if we can, and try and play our brand and our style, and that’s really the goal for us.”

Roos said it was also a great opportunity to secure a win against a team in a similar position – something that has been difficult to achieve in 2014.

“We haven’t beaten the teams around us as much. It’s probably been Essendon, knocking on the eight and Adelaide, and Carlton has been really good lately and Richmond has won their last six games,” he said.

“The teams around us – we played St Kilda early in the season and the Giants in round three and Brisbane a couple of weeks ago. A lot of those games we’re been in front late in the game, but we haven’t been able to close the games out.

“Ten times we’ve been in front in the last quarter for four wins, so if we’re in front again, we’ve got to translate that into a victory.”

Meanwhile, Roos said Dom Tyson, who will again come up against his former team, had had a “terrific season”.

“He didn’t have a pre-season, so it’s been a great effort to get through so many games,” he said.

“It’s been the most games that he’s ever played and he’s been really productive for us.

“He’s added to our midfield and helped Jonesy and with Bernie and Crossy coming as well – it’s given us a lot more depth. He’s had some very, very good games this year.”