PAUL ROOS' decision to commit to a third year with Melbourne gives the Demons more stability and more options as they search for his coaching successor, according to CEO Peter Jackson.


In a further boost for the club, Jackson told AFL.com.au he expects to discuss his own future with Melbourne when president Glen Bartlett returns from his current trip overseas.  

The club has recently been holding informal discussions with prospective successors to Roos to see if they are interested in pursuing a senior coaching position, and whether they would be interested in joining Melbourne.

Melbourne officials have said they will not formally interview any candidates who are working as assistants at other clubs until their seasons have ended, in a nod to AFL Coaches Association protocols.

Jackson said the succession plan remains the preferred option for the club but agreed that Roos' commitment until 2016 opens possibilities if the right candidate cannot be found.

He made the point that only Fremantle's Ross Lyon and the Sydney Swans' John Longmire are contracted beyond 2016.

In March, Hawthorn's Alastair Clarkson extended his contract at Hawthorn until the end of 2016 and Geelong's Chris Scott is contracted until the end of 2015.

"If the right person comes along, that is fine, we'll run with that, otherwise we'll just keep looking," Jackson said.

Whether Roos' decision to sign for a third season would convince unrestricted free agent James Frawley to stay with the club was a question that only Frawley could answer, Jackson said.  

"There is no offer on the table at this point in time because he indicated he didn't want that to happen until year end so we have respected that but I'm sure we'll talk in the next few weeks," Jackson said.

Jackson said the issue of extending his own tenure as CEO was not solely his decision and he expected it would be on the agenda when Bartlett returned.

"When he gets back, I'm sure we'll talk about it," Jackson said.