BRENDON Bolton is ready to grab the Carlton senior coach's job with both hands after serving a lengthy apprenticeship with Hawthorn, star forward Jarryd Roughead says.
Bolton is reportedly set to be interviewed by the Blues this week and received Roughead's tick of approval for the job on Tuesday.
"He's been our forward line coach the last two years, so he's been very good for me and the group that we've got there," Roughead said.
"It would be sad to see him go, but obviously the opportunity, if it's there he would take it with both hands, and he's done his apprenticeship through Box Hill and then the midfield and forward line coach with us."
Hawks lock in Duryea
The Blues hope to appoint their new coach by the end of the month but, if Bolton gets the job, the Hawks hope to keep him for finals as they hunt down a premiership three-peat.
After knocking off West Coast in Perth last Saturday night, they have closed the gap to the second-placed Eagles to just two points.
Roughead said the side took plenty of confidence from the interstate triumph, but hopes to avoid a return trip during the first week of finals by securing a top-two berth.
"It will mean a home (qualifying) final. I don't think you want to go interstate if you were to finish in the bottom two of the top four," he said.
"We proved on the weekend we can go across there and win … but obviously a home final at the MCG is what you're gunning for.
"I think we've won two out of the last three in terms of going to Perth, so we don't mind going across there and playing footy."
The Hawks face arch-rivals Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night. It will be Roughead's fifth game back after a melanoma scare on his lip.
The 193cm Hawk said he's been given the all-clear after having the melanoma cut out, but has to remain extra vigilant with check-ups.
"Probably over the last two weeks I got given the all-clear, so I've got heavy surveillance over the next few years, which is good," he said.
"I'm eating properly now, the only thing I guess is bigger mouthfuls – my mouth's tightened up a little bit.
"The good thing is that a lot of the other boys have gone and got checked after this little scare for me."
