COACH Paul Roos says he hasn’t given up on any players at the club and is coaching them as if they will be here next year.

Roos said it was important to keep an open mind on all listed players for the rest of the season.

“I coach everyone as though they are here next year and that’s the way Simon [Goodwin] would be treating it and all of the other coaches,” he said.

“Regardless of where they are contracted, our obligation is to make sure we coach through until the end of the year, and give players the chance to play every single weekend.”

Speaking in his weekly media conference at AAMI Park on Friday, Roos was asked in particular about key forward Chris Dawes and what he needed to do to return to the side.  

“The VFL had a bye last week, so they had a really good, strong solid training [last Saturday], so Dawesy, when he first came back in the team, had some really good form in the VFL.”

“It’s been a positive for us, but there has been less margin for error.

“Along with Dawesy, there have been guys like Buggy (Tomas Bugg) and [Ben] Kennedy, who have gone back that could’ve stayed in the team, but the VFL team has been doing really well and playing consistent footy.

“It’s about as much as rewarding them and when guys go back, they’re really clear on what they need to do. If he plays the way he did in the VFL and then the first game he came back [against Hawthorn], then he’ll get back in the team.”

Meanwhile, Roos said senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin, who is set to take over as senior coach at the end of the season, will remain in his current role for the final seven rounds.

“Simon believes he’s getting a really good education,” he said.

“In the pre-season, he had three NAB Challenge games earlier in the season, so from our point of view, it’s business as usual.

“We’re just trying to do the best we can with the players over the next seven weeks.”