PART of Melbourne's off-season coaching reshuffle will see Paul Roos spend more time working on the culture of the club in 2016 as he sees out the final year of his contract.
Roos will hand the senior coaching role over to assistant Simon Goodwin for the 2017 season. However, his role will be altered next year, with the Demons to keep an eye on 2017 to make sure the transition is smooth.
"He's going to really spend a lot more time with the staff and the players … building our culture," football manager Josh Mahoney told the club's website.
"He's going to make sure that everyone is clear on their roles and he's already really looking forward to that.
"We see the succession plan being a competitive advantage for us and all of the things that we've set up over the time with Paul – and this will be his third year – is going to hopefully flow into Simon's first few years into the job."
It is unsure what sort of involvement – if any – Roos will have with the Demons after next season, with the club keen on him staying on in some sort of supporting role.
However, the 2005 Sydney Swans premiership coach is yet to talk to the club about an official responsibility.
"We haven’t had any formal chats yet on what that role would look like," Mahoney said.
"'Roosy' sees this as his last year as being a senior coach of an AFL club and he’s putting all of his efforts into getting the best out of that."
After he missed out on the Essendon senior gig to John Worsfold, the responsibilities of development coach Brendan McCartney are set to increase.
Recently retired midfielder Daniel Cross will replace Brad Miller, who will take on a role at Greater Western Sydney, in the development department. Cross will also work with players rehabilitating injuries.
And, former Western Bulldogs opposition analyst Craig Jennings has joined the team to fill the new position of game analyst and education coordinator.
Mahoney said the increased focus on development and a sharper emphasis on elements of the game-plan would help the Demons improve in 2016.
"Brendan McCartney is going to take on some more responsibilities in heading up our development area, working alongside Brett Allison and Daniel McPherson," Mahoney said.
"There is going to be a real individual focus on every player and trying to get the best out of them – not just footy wise, but physically as well.
"That's the big change that we're making.
"We've improved in a lot of areas, but we have to continually work on our game styles, so our coaches, with the senior coaching team, are going to be aligned to three phases of the game: ball movement, stoppage and defensive work.
"We think by having that extra focus, it’s going to really improve that area."
The Demons look like having most of their players on the park when pre-season starts next month, with Heritier Lumumba's double ankle surgery the most serious rehab case.
Lumumba isn't expected to do much before Christmas, while finger operations for Jesse Hogan and Dean Terlich will keep them on restricted duties until the festive season.
Christian Petracca is expected to be in full training at the start of pre-season after a week of intensive rehab on his injured ACL in the US while Jack Trengove is building up his running load after battling another navicular injury.
