SHAUN Burgoyne believes Hawthorn will be able to cope with the sudden departure of assistant Brendon Bolton as the Hawks mount their premiership defence.
It was business as usual for Bolton on Tuesday morning, with the Hawks' assistant involved in the club's morning training session at Waverley as the news broke of his appointment at the Blues.
But the Hawks confirmed a few hours later he would transition out of the club this week and hand over his duties to academy development coordinator Damian Carroll before the weekend.
Brendon bolting early
Burgoyne said Bolton was yet to address the players as a group, but expected the much-loved assistant to talk to them individually in the coming days.
He also said the Hawks would cope with his absence in the final two rounds, and beyond into the finals.
"He obviously brings something different to the table as all coaches do, but I think we showed last year when Clarko stepped out and Bolts stepped in, we're able to cover those holes, even when it's a senior coach," Burgoyne said.
"Throughout the year we've had different coaches take different meetings and different roles, and they'll appoint someone to take his role.
"It won't be something new. We went through the exact same thing last year.
"It's just slightly different messaging from someone who thinks a bit differently, talks a bit differently, and it will probably add something new to the group.
"We just have to adapt and move on, and just be happy he's been given a senior role."
Bolton's popularity among the players was evident on Tuesday with Burgoyne describing him as a "relaxed, funny guy" with a good sense of humour away from football, but a "strong and strict coach" who was able to cleanly get his message across to players when it came to the serious stuff.
Burgoyne also said it wouldn't matter that Bolton didn't have AFL playing experience.
"His knowledge of the game is first-class, he coached Box Hill, came here and he's done his work here really well," the veteran said.
"He communicates really well and understands the game first and foremost and the trends, and is able to communicate that to the players with ease.
"We understand his messages when he's talking, so I think it's a good choice and follows in Adam Simpson and Luke Beveridge's steps in the last couple of years in moving on, so we're very happy for him."
The Hawks are preparing to face the Brisbane Lions in Tasmania this Saturday without captain Luke Hodge, who will serve a two-match suspension for his bump on Chad Wingard during Friday night's loss to Port Adelaide.
Hodge cops two-game ban for Wingard hit
It's Hodge's second indiscretion this season, after he was suspended for three weeks for striking Andrew Swallow in round five.
But Burgoyne, who said the break before finals could actually be good for the 31-year-old, said the Hawks still wouldn't change their hard-nosed style.
"That's how we want to play our footy, we want to play close to the line but not overstep it," he said.
"He's got to take the two weeks now and we get to freshen him up a bit as well, which is good.
"You never want anyone suspended, especially your captain, but he's going to take those two weeks and freshen up and hopefully that will be a positive for the team and it will give someone else an opportunity to come and play."
