Paul Roos says he remains baffled by the AFL's crackdown on deliberate rushed behinds, claiming that he isn't intelligent enough to understand the situation.
A day after North Melbourne coach Brad Scott took aim at the AFL for suggesting there was no "rule of the week" last round, his Melbourne counterpart Roos said he was confused by the league's intentions for issuing a memo prior to last weekend's games in which football operations manager Mark Evans flagged a tightening of the interpretation surrounding deliberate rushed behinds. The memo also featured video of missed free kicks.
Roos and Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch queried a contentious free kick paid against Lions defender Pearce Hanley during Sunday's clash between the two sides at the MCG. Roos said on Sunday he may have missed a memo regarding the issue, but despite receiving subsequent correspondence from Evans, Roos said on Thursday he still lacked clarity on the matter.
"Both Leppa and I probably took it the same way," Roos said at AAMI Park, prior to the Demons' departure for Alice Springs ahead of Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide.
"We didn't expect there was going to be that much of a change. I saw Scotty's comment about the 'rule of the week' and all that sort of stuff.
"I don't know. It all gets a bit confusing to be honest. It is what it is."
Asked whether he was frustrated by the situation, Roos said he wasn't sure how to answer the question. "You send an email and talk about rules. Does that mean there's a rule of the week? Or do you read it like I read it, and think 'maybe it's going to change at the end of the year'?"
"I just get confused. I'm not smart enough to work that out."
Roos said the Dees would be taking 24 players to Alice Springs, with Dom Tyson (illness) and Neville Jetta (suspension) set to return to meet the Power.
Youngster Clayton Oliver (corked quad) will not be travelling, and nor will former captain Jack Trengove, who Roos insisted was closing in on his long-awaited senior return. Trengove last played an AFL game in round two, 2014, and missed much of the 2014 and 2015 campaigns with a debilitating foot injury. The midfielder has been playing solid football for the Dees' VFL affiliate Casey, but Roos said Trengove would not be rushed.
"He's not too far [away]. He's going really well," he said.
"He's not going to play this week. You're probably factoring in the travel, team's going well last week.
"I think we want to give Jack a real chance – when he does play – to go really well. He's creeping closer."
The Demons have offered a contract to key defender Tom McDonald, whose current deal expires at the end of the season. Roos said he expected McDonald to remain at the club.
"I think the encouraging thing is we've seen a lot of our players are re-signing and committing to the club. Everyone has different circumstances and situations, as Tom does," Roos said.
"I'd be staggered if that didn't get sorted out sooner rather than later."
The Dees have lost both their previous matches against Port in Alice Springs. This is the final year of the club's deal to play two matches in the Northern Territory, and Roos said he was indifferent about the prospect of the agreement continuing.
"We enjoy going up there. Having coached an interstate club before, there are benefits of travelling, there's no doubt," he said.
"You get together, you talk to players you don't normally speak to, you speak to coaches about different things.
"There is benefits to travelling. The flipside to that is you're selling your home games."
