West was an integral part of the Western Bulldogs midfield for 324 games until his departure a couple of months ago.
The seven-time club best and fairest runs his own transport business, and his desire to maintain a key role there means a part-time role is the perfect way to test the waters.
It will be the first time since he was 15 that the 34-year-old has been at a club other than the Dogs.
"It's a part-time role with the midfield, a bit of stoppage work, working with the young guys and some of the more experienced players as well," West confirmed from Casey Fields on Friday morning.
"I spoke to a few other clubs but I sat down with Dean (Bailey) and (assistant coach) Mark Williams for a good two to three hours and had some really good discussions about where the club was heading, and the list.
"I was undecided with the path I was going to take but, after speaking with the guys, I was excited about joining Melbourne."
However, at his final media conference at the Bulldogs, West made it clear that he would be interested in coaching.
"I think it's something I'll look at," he said at the time. "As you get older, I think you think about the game more.
"I think as a young player you just go out and play under instruction and to the letter do what the coach asks, and I think as an older player you probably do that as well.
"But as you get older you start to think about ways that you can improve other players around you, and how the game-plan can evolve around the team you've got."
The idea was strongly endorsed by one of the best football brains in the business, Dogs coach Rodney Eade.
"I've got no doubt Scott West can be a terrific football coach – he's got as good a football brain as I've met," Eade said.
"And he's got a great ability to impart that know ledge to people as well.
"I've got no doubt there's a coaching career awaiting him."
Brad Johnson, West's skipper at the Dogs, was also on the bandwagon.
"I think Rocket (Eade) has hit it on the head – he would make a fantastic coach," Johnson said.
"His knowledge of the game is just enormous, it's massive.
"I think that's definitely his calling in the future, and he's got plenty to offer this game for the rest of his life."
