For a time Brendon Bolton sang from the same hymn sheet as Alastair Clarkson.
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The trusted ex-Hawthorn assistant was once the four-time premiership coach's closest ally from 2011-15.
The pair four years on both agree that Sunday's clash will be won in the midfield.
The Carlton coach wants his rejuvenated men, after their first win against Western Bulldogs, to take control.
"You've got to keep turning up around the midfield over and over," Bolton said.
"[Ben] McEvoy has been in good form, so that's where we have to win that battle.
"It goes without saying."
Bolton, the former North Launceston rover who had started out his career starring at UTAS Stadium, has great insight of what to expect.
Five seasons in the box had helped to deliver Bolton's only win over Clarkson that derailed Hawthorn's finals chances late in 2017.
"I think they're really well structured and we know Clarko organises really well. You've got to play smart footy against the Hawks," he said.
"I don't think playing one way the whole game is the answer because they can just as easily adjust in the game.
"They've got some terrific interceptors so using the ball intelligently is important."
Clarkson was left suitably impressed with Carlton's opening victory of the year.
This came on the back of a 37-possession game from Blues captain Patrick Cripps.
"We need to worry about more of what we can do when we have our chances with the football and do our best when they've got the football to try and quell the influence of their good ball movement," Clarkson said.
"The battle through the middle, which Cripps is a significant part of, is crucial to the outcome of the game."
But he said that disappointment was no excuse to disregard the rise of Carlton.
"Every game is a danger game. Every opposition we come up against are very capable sides now," he said.
"You can see that with the evenness of the competition.
"We need to play some of our best footy."