PAUL Roos could’ve been forgiven for quoting Maxwell Smart’s famous line “missed it by that much” from the legendary television series Get Smart, when summing up another golden opportunity, which went begging in round 15.

Roos’ frustration was there for all to see post-match, following Melbourne’s six-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The coach was simply annoyed that his side failed to play in the first half – the Bulldogs kicked seven unanswered goals – before the Demons produced a stunning second half comeback.

Ultimately, the Dees fell short by six points, but having led by a goal 21 minutes into the final term, they had the opportunity to record their fifth win of the season.

It’s not the first time the Demons have come-from-behind – they managed to hang on for a cracking one-point victory over Essendon at the MCG in round 13, after trailing by 33 points.

Melbourne also trailed by 25 points against then top-of-the-table Port Adelaide in round 11 at TIO Traeger Park Oval, before hitting the front. But the Power hit back to win by 20 points.

It’s worth noting that the Demons have now lost five matches by 20 points or fewer this season: St Kilda (17 points, round one, Etihad Stadium), Gold Coast Suns (eight points, round five, MCG), Western Bulldogs (16 points, round eight, MCG), Port Adelaide (20 points, round 11, TIO Traeger Park Oval) and Western Bulldogs (six points, round 15, Etihad Stadium) – all winnable games.

They’re all results that could’ve put the Demons in a much greater light this season.

In assessing the match on Sunday, Roos had a range of thoughts and emotions on the loss, using words such as “diabolical” and “horrible” to describe the first half.  

Still measured in his response, Roos acknowledged he was impatient when acknowledging Melbourne was in the midst of a glass half full, half empty scenario. He said the Demons had “come a long way” this year, but he added that “if you accept that, then you don’t keep moving forward”.

“There’s no question that we’ve improved enormously as a team,” Roos said.  

“In those situations, in past years, [coming back from] 33 [points] against Essendon becomes an 80 or 90-point [loss]. Against the Bulldogs, [a 37-point deficit] becomes a 60-point [loss], so there is no question we’re improving.

“But if you accept that, then you don’t get to the next level and that’s what we want to do, as quickly as we possibly can.”

Roos said Melbourne didn’t have enough talent to give opposition teams significant head starts.

“Talented teams can play at 80 or 90 per cent and they can be a goal down or equal and then all of a sudden they put the foot down on the pedal and they go seven [goals] up,” he said.

“It’s hard and I said that to the players. AFL footy is not easy, if you want to get to be a really good team. We’ve improved dramatically, but to continue to improve, we’ve got to eradicate some of the things that lead to those seven straight goals.”

Understanding that Melbourne was on a journey that was not going to be fixed in 12 months, Roos said eliminating as many ups and downs by the team was all part of his objective at the moment.

“Unfortunately, you’re going to have those lapses … my job is to minimise them and try and eradicate them. It’s not going to happen in six months – who knows how long?” he said.

“The players will make the biggest difference at this footy club and any coach would say that, because that’s the way it is.

“We try and set it up and we work with them and talk to them and they’ll make the biggest difference – as they did in the last 80 minutes of the game.

“I can pretend I did something magical – I didn’t. They made a decision and we got back in front and ultimately got beaten by a goal.

“We know it’s going to take some time and there has been some really, really positive signs – there were some really positive signs again [against the Bulldogs], but my job is to get them quicker than [others].”

Although Roos has already made massive inroads at the Demons, he simply wants more – and he’s not shying away from responsibility. 

“I’m just not getting the job done at the moment, because it’s unacceptable,” he said.

“I’m paid to teach these guys what AFL footy is – they have no idea, so that’s my challenge to be able to do that and teach them as quickly as we possibly can.”

Still, in the overall scheme of things, Roos has clearly been up to the task – he’s overseen a significant transformation. But it’s all about going to the next level for Roos’ charges. Thankfully for the red and blue faithful, Roos is in charge to make it happen. Even if it will take some time.