NEIL Craig admits Melbourne is vulnerable to losing out-of-contract players to other clubs.
According to reports on Wednesday, Demon forward Jack Watts will wait until the end of the season before deciding his future with the club.
Craig said he briefly chatted with Watts about the report on Tuesday morning and stressed he understands Watts' stance.
"Any player has the right to take their time with contractual arrangements, because it's a big decision for players," Craig said on Wednesday afternoon.
"So I don't have an issue with Jack making that decision… but he certainly didn't give me any indication that (the decision to stay or go) was going to be based on the next coach."
The Melbourne caretaker said the club was putting its energies into providing an environment where players wanted to stay.
"Of course the club is (vulnerable). That's why you try to build a culture of greatness," Craig said.
"So that you can recruit, train and retain.
"It's no good us putting our head in the sand and saying we have that culture at the moment, but that's where we're going."
The Demons head into Saturday's game with the winless Greater Western Sydney as the underdog after a horrible 122-point thumping at the hands of North Melbourne.
"If you looked at GWS' form last week and you looked at our form, I know who I'd have favourite, wouldn't you?" Craig said.
"I understand that. That's okay, that's not going to go away.
"We certainly want to get good enough to be the favourite every week."
Young Giants forward Jeremy Cameron has blown football observers away this season, highlighted by his seven goals against Collingwood last week.
Vision of Cameron's exploits against the Magpies has been playing at regular intervals on Craig's office television.
"It puts you off your lunch every now and again," Craig joked.
"You love to see really exceptional talent coming through, new talent, fresh talent.
"He could be a 10 or 12-year player who's going to excite the crowds.
"But that's okay, I've got great confidence in the guys we've got to be able to stand him."
Operation 'Stop Cameron' will be even harder with first-choice backman James Frawley ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Craig said Colin Garland (ankle) was a "possibility" to return, while Tom McDonald and the undersized Lynden Dunn are chances to take on the talented Giant.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie