For Anthony Griffin, like the man for whom he must make way, syrupy sentiment won't take up vast slabs of his time as he prepares to depart his current employer. But that hasn't stopped others from contemplating his legacy as the clock ticks ever louder on his four-year tenure at Red Hill.
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The Broncos remain alive in the NRL season but must beat St George-Illawarra on Friday night to ensure their final game, a daunting away trip to play the Storm in Melbourne, will provide fans with more than an hour of fruitless entertainment.
At the heart of Brisbane's hopes are a group of footballers with which Griffin shares an enduring bond. They are players he has guided since they were fresh-faced unknowns; part-timers still having a dollar each way on rugby league and a regular life in Grownupsville.
In the inaugural 2008 Under 20s grand final, the Brisbane side that lost to the Raiders featured four players that will start against the Dragons. Josh Hoffman also played that game but misses out due to injury this week.
But Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn are all Griffin proteges. All have returned dividends on his investment, with Hunt, in particular, having an outstanding 2014 after finally getting his hands on the Broncos number seven jumper on a regular basis.
Glenn captained the 2008 Under 20s grand final side and has become one of Brisbane's most reliable and versatile campaigners ever since. Griffin's departure, whether it be in a fortnight time or deep into the NRL finals, means the end of a six-year association between the pair.
"We'd love to send him out the best way and that's winning a premiership. That's the only real way to send out a coach and say a massive thanks, especially for what he's done over the years for me," Glenn said.
"That's what I want to to so I'll be doing my job the best I can over the next few weeks."
Glenn, who has always been friendly and at ease in dealings with the media, remembers his nervous Under 20s self previewing that game in front of the cameras, telling journalists how he had been juggling an apprenticeship as a painter with football and watching Remember The Titans on loop to fire him up for the final.
"I was painting at the time. We had a strong core group of the 20s boys and we all worked jobs. I came into training with paint all over me. They are fond memories that I'll cherish. We're all scattered nowadays but they are very fond memories," Glenn said.
"We were all thrilled to be within the Broncos club, even though we weren't in the top side we still felt like half-celebrities. It was a foot in the door. We couldn't fast forward and predict we'd all be here right now."
Griffin has been a constant for each member of that Under 20s quartet, who have progressed through the grades together, if treading slightly different paths along the way.
Glenn, who has played everywhere for Brisbane over the years before finding a permanent home in the backrow, has been the safest bet, while Josh McGuire has matured over time to become a quality NRL prop on the verge of progressing to the next level.
Hunt and McCullough were slower burners but will run out as leaders of a Broncos side that meets an equally desperate Dragons, who sit on the same competition points and must also win to press for the finals.
Glenn wants to ensure his time with Griffin extends beyond the Storm game but if it doesn't, will take away some valuable lessons as both men enter the next phase of their careers.
"He taught me to just be honest with myself, that's one of the main things I'll take away. Being true to yourself and honest in your preparation."
Brisbane has named the same side that comprehensively defeated Newcastle last weekend.
Brisbane: Justin Hodges (c), Daniel Vidot, Jack Reed, Dale Copley, Lachlan Maranta, Ben Barba, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker (c), Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday. Interchange: Jarrod Wallace, Martin Kennedy, Ben Hannant, Corey Oates, Todd Lowrie.
