Whenever Cooper Cronk has spoken with Craig Bellamy in recent months there's been an elephant in the room.
As Cronk's NRL coach throughout his entire 14 years at Melbourne and the biggest influence in his decorated career, their first encounter as opponents was always going to feel odd for both men.
Now it's upon them and everything about Friday night's heavyweight clash in Adelaide will be "a little bit weird" for Cronk.
Until now, Cronk has never played against the club for which he won two premierships and became a Storm icon.
And as anticipation builds, the Sydney Roosters halfback has been examining how he feels about facing Bellamy and his former Storm teammates.
"I've had a couple of texts and phone calls with Craig throughout the year and there's that strange awkwardness knowing the game is coming around," Cronk said on Monday.
"I really respect Craig as a person and footy mentor... but fortunately or unfortunately we've got to go out and play football on Friday night.
"I will do that and he will do that, and we'll be friends afterwards - as long as they don't smash me too hard."
And Cronk expects to get smashed.
Never before has he played against fellow Storm legends Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
"We're playing football and no matter if your best friends or your family is across the other side ... there'll be a bit of niggle and banter," he said.
"They'll smash me, I'll get up, I'll get smashed again - all's fair in love and war.
"I'll still do what I do every day for the last 14-15 years but just try to do it a little bit harder and longer than normal because I know they're going to be coming for the 80 minutes."
Cronk will spend the next four days trying not to over-think a situation he admits he'd already been heavily contemplating for the 24 hours prior to Monday afternoon's media conference.
"And I actually don't know - I've never been in this situation before," he said.
"Heart says one thing, head says another.
"I've got a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for everyone at the (Storm) footy club because they've basically made me the person I am.
"But then the head says this footy club (Roosters) has been tremendous to me since arriving here.
"You try and play it in your head like it's just another game but it's a little bit different, a little bit more emotional attachment to it.
"It will be a bit weird for me when I walk in the stadium and see purple tracksuits on one side and have to walk the other way."
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