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A NEW York hotel lobby is a perfect place to chat with Essendon's Brendon Goddard as he prepares to represent Australia in the Virgin Australia International Rules Series in Dublin on November 21.
People don't waste words in the Big Apple and neither does Goddard.
In fact, his October 12 tweet from the US was one of the more effective pieces of football communication for the season.
As he got wind of mounting media speculation in Australia that he might not be at Essendon in 2016, the Bombers best and fairest winner posted one red and one black ball on Twitter to show his true colours to the world.
The result was an immediate end to the trade talk, with the added bonus of saving his friends and family international phone calls to enquire.
But it was also a powerful statement from the 30-year-old as he regenerated his mind ahead of his fourth season with the Bombers and his 14th season in the AFL.
He is, he says, mentally refreshed.
The final four weeks of the season were a grind, the tumultuous events at Essendon finally wearing him down.
But a succession of trips to America, a chance to spend time with friends and a few games of golf have got him back on track.
The IRS diaries: Australia in New York
A one-hour chat with new coach John Worsfold in between trips to the US also left him rapt with what lies ahead at the Bombers.
"I think we've still got a lot of upside. The age of the list is no barrier. There is no ceiling," Goddard told AFL.com.au.
His two reasons for joining Essendon remain identical to what they were when he arrived three years ago, despite everyone imagining circumstances may have caused him to question his decision.
"The two reasons why I went to Essendon are obviously a premiership. I have never shied away from talking about that, and development," Goddard said.
"That has always been the goal since I walked in the door - to lead by example for the young group and I think I have done that."
He certainly has, standing up for the club and those within it whenever the moment demanded.
Few know however that Goddard did more, spending 2015 immersed in the development program as a 'development player' doing everything the young players did in terms of meetings and discussions around game-plans.
It gave him a great chance to develop his relationships with that section of the list and to better understand how he approached the game and being a leader.
Never afraid to admit he occasionally delivers his message in blunt fashion, Goddard says the relationships he has built within the club enables that to happen.
"I have never denied my demonstrative demeanour on the field, guys know that, they put me into place all the time," Goddard said.
"They understand the way they can take my feedback and understand where it is coming from."
That's why he doesn't want to give too much oxygen to what the retired Paul Chapman, a teammate he played just 26 games alongside, wrote about the way Goddard delivers messages to teammates.
"Chappy's Chappy," Goddard said.
"Within those four walls [at Essendon], people know where I stand."
They know where he stands in the game too as he naturally sits alongside the game's best ready to represent Australia in the IRS.
The chance to spend time with former, current and new teammates and coaches in the slightly surreal environment is not one he takes for granted.
Nor is the challenge of beating Ireland in what promises to be a redemptive series for the concept.
"I enjoy the game and I have experienced Croke Park in front of 80-85,000 people so I am looking forward to it," Goddard said.
The same words could be used in a different context when it comes to Goddard at Essendon in 2016.
He's ready to be his best with the Bombers in 2016 as he begins readying himself for Ireland at Croke Park.
