AN INCREDULOUS Paul Roos has left Melbourneplayers Dean Terlich and Alex Georgiou in no doubt that their 'Mad Monday'costume was completely unacceptable, with the duo to face a club-imposedsanction.
The teammates attended Monday’s function withTerlich, 24, dressed as disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris and Georgiou, 24,dressed as a girl.
A photo of the pair posing together was postedon Instagram.
Harris was sentenced to jail in England afterbeing found guilty of indecent assault on victims aged between eight and 19between 1969 and 1986.
Roos said he was speechless when he heard whatTerlich and Georgiou wore and said he did not share the view that it was justboys being boys.
"I find it hard to believe a couple ofplayers could turn up like that and as a footy club … [we are] completelyunhappy with their behaviour," the Melbourne coach said.
"It's unacceptable and I unreservedlyapologise to anyone that we have offended."
Roos was in no mood to give the players anexcuse and said the duo was extremely embarrassed and remorseful.
"The problem with days like yesterday isthey just don't think," Roos said.
"There is no malice. There is just nothought process (that) goes into it and I think that is the worst part aboutit."
Roos said the two players are fundamentally goodpeople who knew they had made a bad decision, which was especiallydisappointing given the education programs in place.
"The reality is they dressed up in that outfit.That is the thing that worries me. You can make as many excuses as you want tomake excuses, and as I said I know they're good guys, but the thought processto go in…I think there is no thought process and that is the concern,"Roos said.
"The education is 'think about youractions before you actually do them, not after you do them, think about whatother people are going to think about what you do'."
Melbourne announced last week it had re-signedTerlich while Georgiou played seven games in his first season on the club'srookie list.
Roos said the club would determine thepunishment, which may relate to education as well as some sort ofpenalty.
Roos also said he was meeting with unsigned freeagent James Frawley on Wednesday, but he understood the way free agencyworked.
He said he did not think Frawley had yet made adecision and respected the fact the in-demand defender was entitled to make uphis mind in the time available to him.
Players can wait until the free agency periodopens on October 3 before making their decision public.