Spare a thought for Minyip-Murtoa's Nicholas Petering.
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Part of a diehard Burras' family, Petering planned to make a long-awaited return to his home club in 2020.
Instead, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a bitter pill to swallow for the 27-year-old.
"To be honest, I was pretty shattered when the season got called off," Petering said.
"I was super keen to get back. To play alongside my brother (Kade) for the first time in a while, and having my sister (Sheridan) in the netball as well.
"I was really excited just to spend a bit more time with my family, and catching up and playing with mates who I grew up with."
Petering last played a full season with the club in 2012, travelling back from Melbourne to pull on the blue, black and white.
He has since played with the Monash Blues in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), lining up against the likes of former AFL-player Stephen Milne in one of Melbourne's premier suburban leagues.
But Petering said a move back to the Burras had long been on his mind.
"I was really close to making the move last year, but I just opted against it," he said. "With my living situation and things like that, it had all lined-up for me to come back this year. It would've perfect."
Petering said watching his brother Kade win a premiership and a Greg Binns medal last season was an emotional day, one that further spurred his desire to return.
It was also a chance for Petering to spend more time with his father, Bruce, who has reentered clubland at Minyip-Murtoa after a long career as an impartial head of AFL Wimmera-Mallee.
"Having him available to get to every game in no official capacity would have been nice. I think he was really looking forward to it," Petering said.
"Hopefully we can still do it next year. I'm still very keen to get back and play."
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Petering said the optimism and strong community at the Burras, that had persisted even through a bizarre season, had helped keep him excited about a return.
"All the social media stuff that the club has done, there's just an incredible vibe," he said.
"I guess it's just fingers crossed the whole COVID situation sorts itself out.
"I can't imagine going through the situation again next year.
"Hopefully things can be a bit smoother next season."
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