PAUL ROOS' public declaration on Friday night that he was warming to the idea of coaching Melbourne in 2014 has put a bounce in the step of most Demon supporters.
That is some feat given the two-win season it endured that led to the departure of its coach, CEO and president and the certainty that rapid change will happen within the football department.
Roos is the big-ticket item but will come at a cost, reported to be $1.5 million and will lead to expectation and hope that might be hard to control.
Melbourne is adamant that a deal has not been done yet but there is a growing feeling that he will take the job.
If the concession of nine goals in the second quarter against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon wasn't enough to put some reality back into supporters' minds, interim coach Neil Craig made certain the post-game message was clear.
"It is not a quick fix. The Melbourne football club is not a quick fix," he said.
It's why the process to get Roos has been so long and drawn out. He can't be half-committed or his selection would be a disaster so the club is giving him every chance to do his due diligence.
Roos sat down with the club's leadership group on Tuesday as part of the process of determining whether he wanted the job.
Midfielder Nathan Jones told AFL.com.au the meeting centred on footy and was a two-way conversation.
"I'm not sure what 'Roosy's' status is but it was good to put some things on the table and talk footy and hear his opinions. He is so successful in the game and [to] hear his way of playing and what is important for his teams."
With several coaches including Craig, Mark Williams and Adam Simpson still in the picture for the coaching role, Jones was not declaring a preferred candidate.
Jones said he had complete confidence in CEO Peter Jackson and the selection panel's ability to make the right decision.
"The exciting thing for me is that we will get someone who is really experienced and has been there and done that," Jones said.
"It was exciting obviously to hear how 'Roosy' saw the game and what his opinions were but I am going to keep it pretty private."
Craig knew Roos was meeting the players on Tuesday away from the club. His main concern was whether or not it would have a negative impact on the players' performance on Sunday.
He was pleased to see the fireside chat didn't upset their effort too much however and understood, in principle at least, why any prospective coach might want to meet the players.
Roos however has not spoken to Craig directly.
Craig knows the job is tough but he has not ruled himself out of the picture altogether. He has enjoyed coaching Melbourne for the past 11 games and the players have responded to his teaching.
Impressed with the recruiting in last year's draft – five members of Sunday's team came through that draft – and Jesse Hogan's performances in the VFL, he can see light at the end of what has been a dark tunnel.
"They are developing enough talent in the squad to be [creating] what I call genuine hope, not false hope," Craig said.
No timeline has been set on the coaching decision but as each day passes, Craig says it becomes more critical a person is put in place.
"Not to the extent of rushing the decision because the decision is too important but as each day goes past now it becomes more and more critical," Craig said.
"If that committee can make that decision as soon as they possibly can without making an error of judgment I would certainly encourage them to do that because of the amount of work and planning and other appointments that are hanging on the coaching decision."
