COACH Paul Roos assesses all 44 players at Melbourne’s midway stage of the 2015 season. In the final of a four-part series, he looks at Jake Spencer, Billy stretch, Dean Terlich, Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Trengove, Dom Tyson, Aaron vandenBerg, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Jack Watts and Mitchell White.

Jake Spencer: Jake’s almost our most improved player. He’s been terrific in what he’s been able to do. He’s worked extremely hard on his game and we’ve seen him play some really good AFL footy this year. As long as he continues to improve, with him, Max Gawn and Russian (Mark Jamar), you end up with three good ruckmen.

Billy Stretch: Billy’s a really, really nice, compact player. He’s a great listener and understands the game really well. His listens to the coaches really well and we’ve seen him play some good footy at AFL level already.

Dean Terlich: Dean’s probably been really inconsistent with his performance. One thing he needs to do is become really consistent at VFL level and knock the door down. He needs to have high quality performances at VFL level week in, week out. We know he can play AFL footy, because we’ve seen it, but he really needs to get back to playing the way we want him to play.

Jimmy Toumpas: I think Jimmy has made some real improvement, particularly over the past month. His games against the Bulldogs, Collingwood and St Kilda were really good. He really works hard on his game. Jimmy loves his footy and we’re starting to see some real improvement in his game.

Jack Trengove: I can’t speak highly enough of Jack. His investment in the footy club for someone that’s been injured for nearly a year and a half is exceptional. He’s just a high quality individual that you love having around your club.

Dom Tyson: Dom’s probably started off a little bit slow, but he’s really starting to show some good signs. I thought his game against Geelong was really positive and his commitment now to defence is really good. He’s getting in and making some tackles – and we saw his outstanding kick to Billy Stretch against Geelong – so I’m really looking forward to his second half of the season. I think he’s going to have a very, very good back half to the year.

Aaron vandenBerg: Vanders came as a mature-age recruit and none of us knew much about him, other that he could find the ball at NEAFL level. He’s big and strong, and a real contributor and he had a significant impact on the team in the first half of the season.

Bernie Vince: Bernie’s elevated his game. He’s been exceptional in the last month. His ability to play on really good players and shut them down, and get the ball himself, has been fantastic. I haven’t spoken to him about it, but I suspect it’s as good as he’s played in whole career.

Jack Viney: Unfortunately Jack missed a lot of weeks with his leg injury, but he showed against Geelong how much we’ve missed him. His game on Joel Selwood was fantastic. His ability to win a contest, beat an opponent and play on a good opponent – and still attract and win the ball has been very good. I’m really looking forward to the final 10 games for Jack.

Jack Watts: I think Wattsy has just had his best three matches of AFL football in a row. He’s really starting to get back to the contest and he’s worked hard on his game with Simon Goodwin and Brendan McCartney. But it’s been the best three weeks I’ve seen him play back-to-back-to-back. He’s using his speed now, when he’s got the ball in his hands, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play the final 10 games of the season. 

Mitch White: Mitch is a developing young player. The coaches have been really happy with him. He’s starting to really listen and starting to play on his man off half-back, and he’s starting to really impact contests and starting to play the way we want him to play.