Orange Tigers' coach Dale Hunter likes to move around the change room pre-game as he makes his way to each player to hand them their jumper.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Come Saturday, he'll be handing out jumpers for the last time in the AFL Central West grand final.
The premiership-winning coach is calling time on coaching after three years in the role for the Tigers and admitted there was a bit of emotion around the final game this weekend.
"There's a little bit of sadness knowing it'll be the last time I lead the boys out," he said.
It's been a very different year for us with the heartache and devastation of what happened early in the year but we've really come together as a group and played some really good football.
- Outgoing Tigers' coach Dale Hunter
This season has been unlike any other Hunter's been involved in, after the death of Chris Rothnie in February.
"It's been a very different year for us with the heartache and devastation of what happened early in the year but we've really come together as a group and played some really good football," Hunter said.
Blooding youth has been the biggest aim for Hunter in 2019, and he's achieved it with aplomb, with eight players under the age of 18 debuting and five of them lining up in the grand final.
"Ultimately I wanted to ensure there was a future, it's the best thing for the club and as it turns out it's brought enthusiasm into a team which really needed a shake-up," he said.
While the Tigers mentor has been on record saying it's not enough to make a grand final, he said come final siren on Saturday he'll be proud of his players "no matter what".
That said, he did admit it'd be "nice" to hang up the boots with a second premiership in the bag, and said the side wouldn't be taking a backward step on the field on the quest to defend their 2018 premiership.
The side's prospects were boosted by the return of co-captain Andrew Henry and midfielder Casey Grice, with Sam Neville interstate and an unlucky Campbell Haines making way for the pair.
First bounce is 2.30pm at George Park 2 in Bathurst.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE SPORT AND NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...