First, no matter what mental anguish the likes of Jason Dunstall and myself harbour over our part in ending Peter Schwab's coaching career, we fully understand that those feelings would pale into insignificance compared with the disappointment that Peter would be feeling.
The years of participation in football in one role or another shape our ability to cope with the vast range of issues that this sport throws our way.
Once again I have learnt that I suffer physical hurt, of any extent, much better than I do emotional hurt. Speaking with Jason, he is the same. This decision has really hurt Jason and myself.
I would gladly stand in front of Mark Yeates to be crunched again, rather than sit with Ian Dicker and Jason and deliver a board's decision like that. But it had to be us. And the reality is that should Jason and I stay in our positions long enough, somewhere down the track we will have to do it again.
I only hope that it is so long away that I am as old and emotionally removed as Sam Newman is now.
Yesterday I heard a well-respected AFL identity speak glowingly of Schwabby. The person has a son who plays in the AFL, and yet that person still spoke of how proud he would be if his son grew into manhood in a similar stature to that of Peter Schwab.
Way back at the news conference announcing that Peter Schwab was to be the next coach of Hawthorn, it was mentioned how highly his character was regarded.
How in 1989 he was suspended before the grand final, yet through the heartbreak of that torturous week he was the first on the training track and the best performed upon it. If anything, Peter will depart in six weeks with that reputation of his character enhanced.
We can only wish that the players demonstrate that they too need to shoulder part of this season's unacceptable score line. Although it is obvious the Hawthorn team need to play for themselves and each other to right some of this year's wrongs, some will play on emotion for their coach. That is only natural.
Peter would probably not want that. He is such an honourable person he will find greater satisfaction should the team play for each other and what they represent to each other.
Win, lose or draw, it is the effort over the next six weeks that will count. For if a man cannot give his absolute best in this physically demanding game when he is emotionally stirred, he is playing the wrong sport.
I am yet to see anyone describe the bond between players who have succeeded in premierships, especially through adversity. I am nowhere near a good enough wordsmith to do that bond justice in its description.
The same can be said of teammates who see their fellows at their most vulnerable and worst.
I have seen Dunstall and Schwab at both. They, too, have seen me in that place. The bond is indescribable. You spend much of your life trying to achieve and protect each other, yet down the track Jason and I do this at a board table.
It fills me with wonder that some people become cynical old misanthropes. I now know the path it takes to be one, because it is as if I took one of the steps this week.
I have been made a better person in life by having Peter Schwab enter into it.
Someday I hope Peter's team of 2004 understand just what character and integrity he has displayed to them through some very hard times. He will continue to back them and give them his trust. And why? Because that is the type of character he is.
