The blowtorch was always going to be applied to the losing coach in Sunday's AFL clash between Essendon and Carlton.
And the Bombers ensured it will be Brendon Bolton who endures a tough week of scrutiny after they slogged their way to a 11.8 (74) to 4.9 (33) win at the MCG.
At 5-6 and 10th on the ladder, things suddenly don't look quite so dire for John Worsfold and his team - not that the veteran coach was listening to the outside noise about his future anyway.
"We have to make sure we're all on the same page with where we're going and how we're going to get there and what it's going to take," Worsfold said.
"It's letting the players know that I'm not going to start to react to noises outside the footy club.
"On one hand I feel for Brendon Bolton as well. I don't know all the situation with that but I understand the age demographic of their list, it's going to be hard for them to win games until they move into the next phase.
"We're in a little bit of a different phase to Carlton but we're really strong on what we're trying to achieve."
Geelong are two games clear on the ladder at the end of round 12 after they overcame a slow start to score a 13.7 (85) to 8.15 (63) win over Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, improving their win-loss record to 10-1.
GWS moved into second spot with a 19.12 (126) to 6.7 (43) belting of Gold Coast at Giants Stadium on Saturday, Stephen Coniglio starring with 36 possessions and three goals.
Michael Walters scored a last-gasp winner for the second time in seven days as Fremantle stunned Collingwood in a controversial four-point thriller at the MCG.
In a match marred by a costly score review error that allowed Walters' first goal to stand, the Dockers star kicked a goal from 35m out with 27 seconds left to seal a 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) win.
West Coast moved into fourth spot with a 21.7 (133) to 10.12 (72) thumping of the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, with Jack Darling notching six majors.
Port Adelaide maintained their perfect record in China with a 22.7 (139) to 9.15 (69) win over St Kilda, who lost skipper Jarryn Geary to a lower leg fracture.
Adelaide dealt Melbourne's slim finals chances a blow with a gut-wrenching 14.6 (90) to 12.16 (88) win in Darwin on Saturday night.
The Crows kicked 5.2 (32) to the Demons' 1.8 (14) in the final quarter, with Sam Weideman and Max Gawn missing set shots in the final two minutes.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was unimpressed with his "spluttering ... middle of the road" team after they kicked five unanswered goals in the first term against Brisbane but ended up suffering a 12.13 (85) to 10.6 (66) loss.
North Melbourne made a dream start to life under Rhyce Shaw, beating Richmond 15.9 (99) to 9.8 (62) in a major upset at Marvel Stadium on Friday.
