Yet to publicly declare his hand, Richmond caretaker Andrew McQualter will reassess his coaching ambitions after the Tigers' crunch clash with fellow AFL finals aspirants St Kilda.
McQualter has spearheaded a mini-revival since taking the reins from triple-premiership mentor Damien Hardwick, who stepped down unexpectedly last month, steering Richmond to wins in two of his three games at the helm.
A third consecutive victory against the Saints on Saturday night would put the Tigers (5-1-7) right back in the finals hunt heading into their mid-season bye.
And it would strengthen McQualter's case to take over full-time, if he decides he wants to.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity I've got at the moment. I'm supported by a terrific coaching staff as well," McQualter told reporters on Friday.
"I've just been head down ... it's been a really hectic month, as you could imagine, so we'll just get to the bye and then reassess where it's at."
McQualter has had plenty on his plate this week managing Marlion Pickett's reintegration to the club after the utility was granted bail by a Perth court on Monday.
Pickett will sit out of the St Kilda clash, while Rhyan Mansell was unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-match ban for rough conduct.
Ben Miller and Maurice Rioli have been recalled, while the fifth-placed Saints (8-4) go in unchanged after their win over Sydney last Thursday.
Former St Kilda and Gold Coast player McQualter will do battle with his ex-mentor Ross Lyon at Marvel Stadium.
Now 13 games into his second stint as Saints coach, Lyon revealed last month he had tried to poach McQualter as an assistant for his return to Moorabbin.
"I've got a lot of respect for Ross but I was in a position ... where I was contracted and had a lot of belief in our footy club, so it wasn't something that got too far," McQualter said.
Finals ambitions aside, Richmond will have added motivation to perform against St Kilda as they mark triple-premiership skipper Trent Cotchin's 300th game.
McQualter said the "extra one per cent" lift wouldn't gift the Tigers victory but urged his side to follow the example Cotchin has set throughout his illustrious career.
"The biggest thing Trent's done over his career is his ability to stand up in big moments," McQualter said.
"When our team's needed him, when our club's needed him, he's been able to stand up."
