Carlton coach Brendon Bolton wanted to move on and leave sentiment behind ahead of the familiar returns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the 37-year-old was just as quick to acknowledge his humble beginnings.
It all started at North Launceston, capturing the Darrel Baldock Medal for best-on-ground in the 1998 TSL grand final.
Stints captain-coaching North Hobart at just 24, and later in charge of VFL’s Tassie Devils and Clarence, was just a sign of his influence that would eventually filter to Carlton.
But Bolton showed how far he has come after his initial words of gratitude, putting team first before his own past.
“I’m further indebted to Tasmania,” Bolton said.
“Tasmania gave me a start in coaching.
“So our boys are looking forward to this challenge.”
A bit later, unprompted, he paid tribute to the rival club and coach.
Saturday’s encounter will be the first time Bolton and Alastair Clarkson – one-time coaching colleagues and now adversaries – have gone head-to-head for AFL premiership points.
Clarkson had earlier on Friday in Melbourne said he had put friendship aside until after the game.
“Oh yeah, Clarko’s a real competitor and again like Tasmania, I am indebted to Clarko and the Hawthorn Football Club,” Bolton said.
“We’ll both be competitive on game day and I am sure we’ll shake hands after the game.”
Bolton’s bulging resume has included two years in charge of Box Hill Hawks before the next five assisting Clarkson at Hawthorn.
But the once George Town resident made it clear he’s a Carlton man now.
He knows the Hawthorn way, but is more keen in charge to develop his own ways.
“We’re really developing our own style and way of playing,” Bolton said.
“It’s all about us learning to do that for four quarters.
“We fell just short in the last few weeks, so we just need to do it for a little bit longer.”
Carlton can take great solace from coming within six points of beating Sydney at the SCG last Saturday.
It follows a five-game winning streak this year that moved the Blues from 0-4 to 5-4 amid talks of a shock finals appearance.
“We think our system, provided we bring effort and our pressure holds up, can do it but it’s just about doing it for longer,” Bolton said.
“At the elite level and when you’re playing teams like Hawthorn and Sydney in a funny way, it’s all about just doing it for longer.”
But Bolton was realistic at the task at hand.
After all, he helped rebuild the Hawthorn empire.
“I think the Hawks have won around 18 straight down here, so it’s going to be a real big challenge,” he said.