PAUL Roos believes out-of-contract forward Chris Dawes has a future at Melbourne, but the decision is out of the departing senior coach's hands as he prepares to pass the reins to assistant Simon Goodwin.
Dawes was dropped two weeks ago after booting only one goal in his four matches this year coming back from a long-term calf injury.
But the 28-year-old could earn a recall for Saturday's clash with West Coast in Perth to ease the pressure on emerging superstar Jesse Hogan, and Roos was confident Dawes still had plenty offer the Demons.
"I think he does because we believe that his best footy's really, really positive, really good," Roos said on Thursday.
"If he does come in this week, I'll be looking forward to seeing how he performs.
"It's probably hard for me to say (if he's playing for his future), because there's a clear distinction between when Simon takes over and I finish.
"I haven't spoken to Simon too much about it, I've been involved in a lot of discussions up until probably a month ago.
"The ultimate decisions aren't really made until you look at who's available in the draft, what the list looks like – young players coming in, old players etc. – so Dawesy's probably similar to a lot of players around the competition that's out of contract."
Roos hinted Dawes would earn a call-up to help Hogan, who avoided suspension for striking Jarryn Geary after being held in a marking contest in Melbourne's loss to St Kilda last Sunday.
"All those big power forwards, it's really, really similar. It's the chicken or the egg, if he got the free-kick he probably wouldn't have elbowed the guy in the side of the head," Roos said.
"We'd probably prefer him to get the first free-kick so he doesn't get reported.
"We'll probably bring Dawesy back this week because I think what happens with our team at the moment, with Wattsy (Jack Watts) going in the ruck, Jesse's often one-out (in attack).
"So that's probably our end of the bargain, making sure as coaches we're providing players with a really good opportunity to play well and not get frustrated."
Roos said the Dees had a "confronting" review after their 14th-straight loss to the Saints at hoodoo venue Etihad Stadium, with a heavy focus on getting back to basics ahead of the Eagles clash.
Young midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen is in the frame to return for the trip west, although first-year onballer Clayton Oliver is still working his way back.
"Clayton, a bit like Angus (Brayshaw), we just want to get him really fit," Roos said.
"We saw the difference in Angus early in the year and I was talking to him at breakfast this morning and he's feeling so much better.
"I'd love to see Clayton, Christian (Petracca) and Angus play together, they haven't played together. That would be exciting for everyone, including me.
"That was one of the messages I gave to Clayton this morning, we want to see you back in the team and we want to see you three boys finish off the season really well."
