Almond was appointed to the league’s toughest job last week, replacing Terry Burgess, who will finish the season.

“I feel like I’ve been ready to take the next step in coaching for a few years, but something that was always holding me back was I just wanted to learn more about the game itself and the modern side of the game, the tactics and game plans,” he said.

“I feel ‘Cressa’ (Cresswell) has topped me off with the ability to see the whole game.”

The 38-year-old spent a season and a half under Cresswell from mid-2015.

“I was a really defensive coach and I had offensive aspects to it, but what he showed me is how you can manipulate a game with the ability to change the course of a match by moving players around like a chess board and, offensively, how to put ball movement into play and structures.

“I was going down that line, but he showed me how to make it, so his tactical side of the game is as good as I’ve ever seen.”

Almond said his former Lavington coach Tim Sanson was another outstanding mentor.

“Hopefully Marc can keep up the standard that Terry (Burgess) has in terms of professionalism,” Roos’ president Graham Hosier said.

“He’s going to bring a couple of people with him and that’s probably something we didn’t do with Terry.”

The Roos’ 66-point loss to Lavington on Saturday has moved the club into third place on the longest losing streaks at 33.

“Terry’s been really good for the club,” Hosier said.

“He’s brought through a lot of young kids and he’s done really well, we’re really happy with him.”