He's an AFL premiership hero, and 20 years after helping the Bombers to a flag at the turn of the millennium, Blake Caracella will channel another premiership-winning side to try and deliver success to Essendon who have waited 16 long seasons for a finals win.
Caracella made headlines last August when it was announced he would join the Bombers' coaching panel in 2020 despite still holding an assistant's position at Richmond. Some at the Tigers were frustrated by the timing of the announcement -- just weeks before a finals assault and on their way to an eventual 2019 flag win -- but the Dons were intent on securing their man.
And after the Marsh Community Series -- in which the Bombers went two wins and zero losses -- it's easy to see why.
Speaking to ESPN, Dons skipper Dyson Heppell said Caracella has been a breath of fresh air for the playing group, bringing across from Richmond a new perspective and a familiar style of coaching.
"Blake's been awesome, he's come back to the club he used to play at and has really just embraced our culture. His teaching style has been fantastic for the boys; he keeps things simple and we've really enjoyed having him there," explained Heppell, who won't take to the field in the early part of 2020 due to complications with a foot injury.
Following the Marsh series, it's become evident that Essendon's new 'Richmond-look', hand-ball heavy style of play has Caracella's fingerprints all over it.
In their first official preseason hit out against West Coast, the Bombers racked up a staggering 590 handball metres gained. Against the Cats a week later, 537.
'Handball metres gained' is based on metres gained through passing by hand - including any running before the handball, and was the most notable hallmark of Richmond's successful 2019, so much so that ESPN dubbed their style of play the "Tiger Tidal Wave".
Last year, the Tigers amassed an average of 496 handball metres gained per match, which was more than double that of the next best team, Melbourne, which averaged 209 handball metres gained per game. Last year, the Bombers averaged just 146 per match (ranked 6th).
It worked at Punt Road due to the embarrassment of riches in the speed department, and it's clear it could work at the Bombers as well.
And while Essendon's sudden adoption of the wave was stark throughout the preseason, Heppell said it wasn't simply a case of 'follow the leader', more the fact that Caracella and the Essendon coaching panel had identified a similarity in the rivals list profiles.
"The goal [is to find a style of play that stands up in finals], it's not about copying or whatever from successful teams in the past. Of course you certainly do look at teams that have been successful and you can grab little bits here and there as everyone does, but you need to certainly tailor it to your playing list," Heppell told ESPN.
"[So implementing a handball metres gained-heavy game style] hasn't been a primary focus to be honest, it's just sort of played out that way. I guess what Blake has done is he's really recognised the strengths we have as a playing group, and tried to tailor that to a particular type of ball movement.
"I think he's got quite a good footy brain and a nous for it, so I guess we're building more trust in the game plan we're implementing and hopefully we can pan it out well throughout the year."
And racking up handball metres gained does suit Essendon's pacy list. Off half back, damaging runners Adam Saad and Conor McKenna can break down zones with their dash and carry, while Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath and, further up the chain, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Orazio Fantasia are custom built for a high-energy, explosive style of play that leaves opponents in their wake, scrambling to close up the space.
The return of Devon Smith from a PCL injury, too, will be welcomed for putting pressure on teams going the other way; in 2018 he led the league for tackles made and took home the Crichton Medal awarded to Essendon's best and fairest.
The Bombers haven't won a final since 2003, and fell well short against the West Coast Eagles in an elimination final in Perth last year, but they may have found a style of play which finally suits the list. Crucially, it's a tried-and-tested, premiership winning style of play.
But the skipper, cautious as ever, reiterated that "you certainly can't take too much out of the results from the Marsh Series".
"But it's more pleasing to see the way we're playing in those games, so it definitely gives you confidence heading into the home and away season," Heppell said.