SIMON Goodwin could take charge of Melbourne's coach's box sooner rather than later.
Demons coach Paul Roos has revealed the Demons are deep in conversation about their coaching structure for 2016, ahead of his departure to make way for the former Adelaide champion.
Roos joined the Demons for the start of the 2014 season on the condition of putting a succession plan in place.
Goodwin was anointed as Roos' successor ahead of this season, having impressed during difficult times as an assistant at Essendon.
Roos, the 2005 Sydney Swans premiership coach, is no stranger to succession plans.
In his final year at the helm of the Swans, Roos coached from the interchange bench, leaving his successor John Longmire to run things in the coach's box.
Roos said that could be replicated with Goodwin next year.
“Having had the experience with John, it is pretty seamless," Roos said at Casey Fields on Wednesday.
“With Simon 12 months away from taking over – it was always the plan that (in) the second year, we’d tailor a role that gives him an opportunity to slip into the chair nicely.
“Titles don’t really much mean, but there might almost be a new title or a new role, which we'd create (for Goodwin) and is similar to what John did.
"The good thing with John and Simon is that they’ve both got very similar views, but they’re also a little bit different.
“So that’s something that will evolve over the next five weeks and we’ll come up with some slightly different jobs."
Roos said Goodwin had made an immediate impact during his first year with the Demons.
"This year he’s been terrific. He loves development and he loves working with younger players, particularly young midfielders," Roos said.
“He’s passionate about both sides of the football – defensively and offensively, so he’s fitted in really well.”
Melbourne is looking for back-to-back wins when it faces North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Inclement conditions at Casey Fields saw the players retreat indoors for Wednesday's training session at a nearby recreation centre.
