There was once a "Grand Canyon-sized rift" that characterised the relationship of Eddie McGuire and Mick Malthouse.
For all they achieved together, in returning the Magpies to the very top echelon of influence in Australian rules football, the ill-fated succession plan that drove Malthouse out of the club at the conclusion of the 2011 season always loomed large.
Their rift was mended after McGuire's very own unceremonious departure from Olympic Boulevard, but now, something else unites them; the admiration of games record holder-in-waiting, Scott Pendlebury.
Both men were afforded the champion's compliments as he faced the media on Monday.
Pendlebury offered that the mark of the very best players is the smallest of discrepancies between their best and worst performances.
"Mick Malthouse was big on that," Pendlebury said of his 2010 premiership coach.
"It resonated with me because I didn't want to be a guy that only played well when the side played well, and I didn't want to perform poorly when the side performed poorly.
"Mick was quite funny back in the day.
"He was really big on consistency, and if you could perform in big games, that meant a lot to him.
"I was scared of Mick for basically my whole career, and I really did not want to let Mick down. He was a fantastic coach," he continued.
Pendlebury was quizzed as to whether his significant exposure to big crowds has pried his best football out of him, now boasting a CV populated by two premierships, a Norm Smith Medal, and four Anzac Day medals.
"It's a funny one," he said, before praising the maligned McGuire.
"I remember speaking to Eddie McGuire about this, and thanking him for what he's built at this football club.
"If it wasn't for Ed and what he built, guys like me don't get the opportunity to do this.
"I got drafted by the biggest and best club in the land because of what he built. I've always been really appreciative of the fact that I was drafted into this club. I'm passing through - I've probably overstayed my welcome a little bit - but I've had the opportunity to play in front of so many big crowds and big games, and that really fast tracks you."
With a real chance that this Saturday is Pendlebury's 25th time playing in front of more than 90,000 fans, the question of his nerves heading into such clashes naturally arose.
"I don't know if I get nervous - I just get excited," he answered.
"I think any time I get to play on this ground (the MCG) in front of the Collingwood army it just feels amazing. They're just always so loud; I don't have many games left, so I'm going to enjoy them while I can."
