WHILE declaring his players looked like they were on a 'footy trip' already, Paul Roos says he is open to remaining at Melbourne post next season. 

Roos said the Demons' performance in the 98-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last Sunday at Etihad Stadium was "unacceptable." 

"The difficulty with this time of year is trying to get into the players' heads. Clearly last week they looked like they'd switched off (and were) on their end-of-season footy trip," Roos said on Friday morning.
 

"What we dished up last week was unacceptable and that's why fans get frustrated with certain teams at certain times," he said. 

But so much is the 52-year-old's commitment to the Demons, he's for the first time left the door ajar to still play a role after he passes to the baton to hand-picked lieutenant Simon Goodwin.

"I won't be coaching anywhere else," he said.  

"I love the footy club, if Peter (Jackson) and Simon and Josh (Mahoney) wanted to chat to me at some point next year about some sort of role yeah I'd be more than willing to talk. 

"I want to see the club successful in the medium to longer term and I believe firmly in where we're heading. 

"And I think Simon's going to be a fantastic coach, who's really going to take the club up in leaps and bounds post next year. 

"I'm really mindful, as I was with John (Longmire) you need some clear air between the old coach and the new coach." 

Defender Christian Salem trained well on Friday and will play against Carlton on Sunday. 

He hasn't played since round seven because of ongoing hamstring woes and was picked to return last week before being forced out through illness.

Roos said defender Neville Jetta could play again this season despite suffering a neck injury last week.