MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos is likely to resist the temptation to call up exciting key forward prospect Jesse Hogan for his AFL debut in round 23 despite his side suffering a "tired" 66-point loss to West Coast.
Hogan returned to the VFL last weekend after spending more than five months on the sidelines with a back injury that flared in the NAB Challenge.
Although the weary Demons battled against the Eagles in Perth on Saturday night, Roos said it was "pointless" risking the talented 19-year-old in his side's final-round game against North Melbourne.
"We can't afford to risk him getting injured," Roos said.
"He's had such a tough year. He's back training and healthy again.
"I doubt he'll play (VFL) tomorrow and it will be pointless playing him next week.
"For us it's like having a new recruit, which is fantastic. His body shape has really changed. Jesse will come back as a new recruit."
The Demons' 11-goal defeat at Patersons Stadium came just a week after their demoralising 64-point loss to Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.
Roos believed a lack of pre-season for a number of his players was partly to blame for their performances over the past two weeks.
"We've probably got eight or nine guys now that look really tired that didn't have pre-seasons," Roos said.
"It's really telling on those guys now that they look really tired at the end of the season."
However, the veteran coach said the Demons' final fling for 2014 against North at Etihad Stadium next Saturday night was "the light at the end of the tunnel" after a difficult end to their campaign.
"I'd say it will be a pretty light week and try to get the guys ready for one last, two and a half hour crack.
"We've played some really good footy this year and improved a hell of a lot.
"But if we're off playing against a good team, it's impossible for us to compete. We don't have a margin for error.
"(I'll) just remain positive, keep teaching, and we make some changes in the off season and try to get better as a list."
