The second coaching domino of the 2019 season fell on Monday, with Brendon Bolton officially relieved of his duties at Carlton after three-and-a-half seasons and 16 wins.
This news, considered a mere formality for weeks by many, leads to one of the most critical junctures in the history of this storied club. Carlton simply needs to get this decision right or it faces the prospect of extending its darkest ever period by as much as five years.
The Blues will undoubtedly embark on a thorough search for their next senior coach, but in reality, there is only one person for the job: Brad Scott.
Sure, Scott's last 10 games in charge of the Kangaroos yielded only three wins, but the 43-year-old's body of work over the preceding nine years is highly impressive.
We all know about the consecutive preliminary final appearances in 2014 and 2015, but the lasting memories of the Scott era at Arden Street will revolve around the way in which he backed his players, consistently getting the most out of a list lacking top-end talent.
In nine full seasons with Scott as senior coach, North Melbourne won at least 10 games in all but one, finishing lower than 10th on the ladder only once in that time. Perhaps more importantly, he brought stability and unity to a club sorely lacking in each area.
Sound familiar?
Scott would bring immediate credibility to Carlton's rebuild, and having overseen the growth of stars such as Ben Cunnington, Ben Brown and Todd Goldstein over the years, he is more than qualified to develop young talent.
He has also displayed the ability to coax excellent form out of seemingly 'past-it' veterans and other role-players. Think Jarrad Waite, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Sam Gibson.
The hallmark of his Kangaroos was that they were tough, uncompromising, and made their opposition earn every kick, mark and handball.
Such words can not be said of Carlton in recent years.
After hiring an untried assistant coach in Bolton almost four years ago, one would expect the Blues to pursue an experienced coach to guide this crop of impressionable young players back to competitiveness.
At a club with talented youngsters such as Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Paddy Dow and Sam Petrevski-Seton among others, Scott's ability to publicly back his players at all times while displaying 'tough love' accountability when needed behind closed doors will empower such players to reach their full potential.
It is the perfect marriage of the top-end talent Scott never had at North Melbourne and the experienced, hard-edged leadership the Blues desperately crave.
Looking from a more commercial perspective, despite reaching an all-time membership record just before the start of the season, the Blues seemingly remain well below the likes of Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn in terms of membership numbers.
Carlton likes to think of itself as one of the big clubs, but last year's membership figures clearly suggest otherwise. The appointment of Scott as senior coach, and the extra wins that will come as a result, would likely prove more effective than any advertising campaign ever could when it comes to attracting new members.
Now more than ever, Carlton needs a strong leader: someone who will command respect from 300-gamers, recent draft picks, media and fans alike.
Brad Scott is that man.
