Both Alastair Clarkson and captain Luke Hodge fronted the media after their side claimed its second premiership in as many years, and the special relationship between the pair was plain for all to see.
Not only were the two cracking joke, they were also very open and honest in their praise of each other and the culture at the club.
Given what the Hawks have gone through off the field this year, this companionship has been a key factor in their success.
Clarkson was forced to miss five games due to a chronic back problem that saw him hospitalised midway through the year, compounding what was already a tough time for the club with several key players out with injury.
"It's a lot of hard work that we've gone through," Hodge said when asked about the Hawks road to success this year.
"Obviously we went through a lot of things that we hadn’t been through, that I (hadn’t been through). I haven't had a coach that hasn’t coached for five weeks but what I found out from our group this year is how many people are willing to step up and (how we were willing to) bond together."
The 30-year-old was particularly glowing in his praise of Clarkson, saying he is constantly able to ensure everyone at the club is working to better themselves.
"One thing (he's done) since he arrived at the footy club is that he's always pushed his players to get better," Hodge said.
"He's never satisfied, which is a great thing to have in a coach. Every time you're doing things well, he'll set the bar higher. Every time you're not playing so well, he'll give you a cuddle and make sure you have the confidence to keep working."
Hodge also shed light on Clarkson's personable side, saying the care he shows for his playing group is one of the main characteristics that make him such a great coach.
"He's someone you'll sit back (and) have a beer and a joke with, even though he's got some shocking jokes at times," Hodge said with a smile.
"He's one of those bloke you just love to sit back and spend time with because as far as football side of things he's always looking to get better himself, he's always looking to make others get better but then you flip to the personal side of things its always 'How's Lauren going How's the kids going', not just with myself but with all the other players with their wives and partners as well.
"When a coach is talking to you about your family, you automatically know how much he cares about you and everything you're doing."
Clarkson also had some special praise for Hodge, who won his second Norm Smith medal by one vote from teammate Jordan Lewis, a feat that sees him join Gary Ayres and Andrew McLeod as the only players to have won the award twice.
"I'd like to give him a man cuddle!" Clarkson said.
"He's been a special contributor to our footy club. It's a special day for him, Norm Smith Medallist for the second time in his 250th game. But I'm probably better off giving him that cuddle in private rather than in public."
Despite all their recent success, it is perhaps one of Hodge's final comments that epitomises what Hawthorn is all about.
When asked about where the Hawks aim to go from here, the three-time premiership star said: "We know our last two years have been pretty consistent but we're going to come back with some pretty high targets again next year."
The rest of the AFL has been warned.