Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will break with his regular AFL practice and use the looming retirements of Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd to rev up his side for their round 23 clash with Hawthorn.
It's not the way of the AFL's most innovative motivator to use individuals as the centrepiece
But this week is different.
A win over the Hawks would see the Bulldogs return to the top eight - but the reigning premiers need three other results to go their way to end the round there and defend their flag in September.
"Let's live in the real world. There's a very slim chance we can make the finals now," Beveridge said on Thursday.
"This week there's room for emotion around Bob and Matty Boyd."
The two veterans will finish with over 600 games - all for the Dogs - between them.
To this generation of fans, Murphy and Boyd simply are the Bulldogs - just as to Hawks fans, retiring great Luke Hodge means everything to their club.
"We all know the tremendous and brilliant service both players have given our football club. Both quite decorated in their careers," Beveridge said.
"In Hawthorn's camp it's very similar with Hodgey finishing up.
"I think there's a little bit of stimulus there because there's a romance there ... both Matty and Bob dreamed to play the game as young kids and could possibly finish on Friday night.
"Whether that gives us a spike in our performance I don't know but its worthwhile acknowledging that."
Beveridge said both the club and player were keen for Dale Morris to go around again in 2018, others could also finish up their time at the Bulldogs.
Stewart Crameri is one, and Travis Cloke - despite being contracted - is another.
Beveridge said the former Collingwood forward was sore and may not play on Friday.
"There's a bit of water to go under the bridge as far as processing, list management stuff between now and then," he said of Cloke.
"Stewie is one of those players who is uncontracted but there's ongoing talks with both his management and others."
Tom Boyd doesn't have the match conditioning to play against the Hawks but 2016 draftee Patrick Lipinski will debut.
"Patty represents the new blood, new life in our football club. Boydy and Bob represent some significant history," he said.
"When the two come together on Friday night hopefully it explodes into a really healthy and exciting performance."
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