For two of the AFL's biggest clubs, the weight of expectation has become a burden rather than a motivator.
Once powerhouses that defined eras, leading the code with the most premierships, both Essendon and Carlton have spent the better part of two decades trapped in a cycle of false dawns, boardroom pressure and underachievement — with every promising step forward quickly followed by another painful setback.
Brad Scott's sacking came a fortnight after premiership teammate Michael Voss resigned from his Blues post.
A lack of development and signs of a visible game plan resulted in more coaching vacancies, which is coinciding with the impending introduction of Tasmania.
Another coach has fallen. Another review. Another process. Another reset.
Carlton and Essendon have a long history at succumbing to media pressures and poor performances, despite publicly backing their man. It was only weeks ago Bombers president Andrew Welsh said he sees Scott as the club's next premiership coach. That aged well.
Since 2000, including caretakers, the Bombers will have 12 different voices as senior coach. The Blues have had 10.
Both clubs have tried similar coaching tactics. The messiah effect (Malthouse and Worsfold). They've given a highly-credentialed assistant a shot (Rutten and Bolton). They welcomed a favourite son back to the club (Ratten and Hird). They have then turned to premiership players from a dynasty team led by the great Leigh Matthews (Voss and Scott).
Essendon has participated in 11 finals series. Carlton, eight. Both enjoyed large stints away on holidays in September instead of gracing the MCG.
Their last premiership was in a different era of football. Their most recent wooden spoons were two years apart.
They've gone heavily to the draft in recent years. They kept players to their contracts. They've welcomed established players in a bid to regain relevance in the competition.
They've overhauled their board, changing the guard from a CEO and presidential level in a bid to right the wrongs.
They've got lasting decisions from decades ago, with the Bombers arguably still reeling from the drug scandal in the 2010s while the Blues' salary cap breach in the early 2000s lingers in the background.
But as both sets of fans would admit, they are stuck in no-man's land.
The last time there was a pair of AFL coach sackings before Round 12 was in 2019 when Scott was let go by North Melbourne and the Blues and Brendon Bolton parted ways.
They have struggled to carry the expectations of being a big Victorian club. They have wilted when met with pressure instead of rising to the occasion.
And the latest instalment of coach sackings further prolongs the commonality between the two clubs.
