It is only natural.

He is a three-time premiership coach and has been the face of the Selkirk Roosters in two stints in charge across almost two decades in the Victorian Football League.

FitzGerald is totally focused though on keeping emotion out of their preparation and match day.

He said he needed to lead by example and ensure that emotions did not get in the way of the on-field challenge against Coburg at Eureka Stadium.

“There’s a job to be done. It’s very much business as usual.”

FitzGerald said he had appreciated being able to coach out the season after the Roosters had announced in June they would not be extending his contract.

“I want to complete the job.”

FitzGerald, 58, coached the Roosters from 1997 to 2002 before returning in 2007 and taking them to VFL flags in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He holds the VFA/VFL coaching games record.

FitzGerald said he had been really satisfied with North Ballarat’s second half of the year.

He said it had been pleasing that the Roosters had been able improve and play so well – winning their past four games.

FitzGerald said the players had responded impressively to the challenges they had faced.

He believes North Ballarat is in better shape now than it was going into the last round last year ahead of a finals series.

The Roosters lost their last two games and then went down to Werribee by 37 points in an elimination final.

They could finish as close as one win outside the top eight with a victory over Coburg, but unfortunately FitzGerald and his players will never know how far their late season form might have taken them into the finals.

North Ballarat is likely to have Matt Austin (knee) and James Keeble (hamstring) available for selection after each trained strongly on Monday night.