Melbourne forward Chris Dawes has anointed Collingwood assistant coach Scott Burns as the person he would like to take over as coach when Paul Roos hands over the job.
Dawes told Channel Seven’s AFL Game Day that it was only a matter of time before Burns became a senior coach.
''The one I’ve wondered about is - and I don’t know his contract situation at the Pies - but Scott Burns; he’s done a full coaching apprenticeship,'' he said.
''He’s obviously going to be a senior coach in the near future and it could be that he wants to get involved with Roosy’s team.''
Burns, a former Collingwood player, worked with West Coast for five years before being lured back by his former colleague Nathan Buckley to be part of his senior coaching team.
Roos has ruled out a long-term stint as Melbourne coach, but left the door open to extend his contract by a year and would also be interested in taking on another role at the club.
Roos has been credited for re-energising the Demons, who have already surpassed their 2013 performances.
After beating Essendon by one point in round 13, players jokingly hailed him the ''messiah''.
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But Dawes said Roos had not done anything special, just giving players confidence and younger players the support they need.
''I think he’s had a calming influence on the group and for so many guys who spent years struggling on-field ... it’s been a shot of confidence and I think that’s really important,'' he said.
''You look at guys like Jack Watts thriving under him and I think the other thing he’s going to be good for is the young guys, in their first, second, third year. He’s not putting any pressure [or] expectations on them and he’s going to allow them to develop at a natural rate and do a full apprenticeship.''
