Roos backs Demons’ Hogan to respond

Jesse Hogan’s poor body language in Melbourne’s loss to depleted Essendon might have reflected the frustration of many Demons supporters but Paul Roos has made it clear he expects better.

The 21-year-old was on the end of some stinging rebukes from greats of the game like Matthew Lloyd and Dermott Brereton after his at-times petulant display at the MCG.

Roos has made some concessions given Hogan’s youth but admitted the young star escaped a bigger rocket from him after his upbeat demeanour on the training track as the Demons prepare to take on North Melbourne.

“I was going to have a longer talk with him – but after I saw him respond at training I was really pleased,” Roos said.

“Obviously there was a lot of commentary and I think he responded to that. He said that it wasn’t really directed at his teammates but it appears that way when it happens in real time.

“He’s a competitive kid and he wants to do well. But I sat him down briefly and said if you respond like that at training … then come out and play like you train.

“He’ll play the way that we want him to play this week – it doesn’t guarantee that he’s going to kick five or six goals – but that’s what we’ve reinforced.”

Roos confirmed that coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin had arranged for Hogan to meet with Kangaroos legend Wayne Carey this week in a bid to address some of the issues faced by the young key forward.

“I think Wayne was in a similar position when he came in as a young player. Key position players are very, very different,” Roos said.

“There’s a lot more to learn for him than perhaps a Clayton Oliver or an Angus Brayshaw.”

After an encouraging win over Greater Western Sydney to start the season, Roos admitted he was also frustrated when his side fell into an all-too-familiar pattern of suffering a disappointing loss.

The coach has already dropped Col Garland and Angus Brayshaw for Sunday’s clash and foreshadowed more changes as he looks to snap his side’s 14-game losing streak against the Roos.

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