The Ballarat Football League season is on hold with the COVID-19 virus having brought sport to a standstill.
AFL Victoria has suspended all aspects of community football until at least May 31.
Hopes remain that an abbreviated football season might be able to be played.
If this comes to realisation, let's take a look at how clubs will shape up.
One of the biggest challenges for any coach introducing an influx of recruits is getting the old and new to gel - come together as one.
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Bacchus Marsh first-year playing coach Tom German said he could not have been happier with the way his player group was coming together as a unit when COVID-19 brought an end to the Ballarat Football League pre-season.
"It's a great culture here. They're a great bunch of blokes. There's been a good vibe. Everyone's been made most welcome and settled in well."
German said training had featured a substantial amount of match simulation as he moulded the style of play he would be looking for.
"They've taken everything on board. They've been willing listen," he said.
With the Cobras having missed the top six last year after a run of three seasons in the finals, German knew he needed a substantial amount of new blood and has gone about building their list with players he knows well.
The VFL-experienced German has arrived at Maddingley Park from Goulburn Valley league club Mansfield and this is where he has sourced the bulk of his additions.
And crucially there has been little player leakage.
Bacchus Marsh last year simply did not have the depth needed to match with the best, and they were overtaken by the likes Sunbury and a rampaging Sebastopol.
ON THE FIELD
German has been able to add quality to the midfield and spine.
Ryan Bartlett will most likely line up at centre back - allowing the classy Jake Owen to stay in attack alongside Aaron Willitts - and Lachlan Christopher also slot into defence, while Jackson Kirley joins the midfield with German, and the versatile Bryce Carroll fits into an old-fashioned utilityy role.
The return of young tall forward Blake Graham after two years off the scene with two knee reconstructions will create enormous interest.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
Losing two of the BFL's best in and under onballers Scott Sherlock and Jacob Chisari to injury mid-season and ultimately retirement over the past two years were setbacks Bacchus Marsh struggled to come to terms with.
They could not be readily replaced and the Cobras subsequently suffered and slid down the ladder.
This year the Marsh looks to be back on track with quality addtions, although losing Liam Mullen and his leadership qualities is a blow.
Jake de Winter and Tom Brownbridge leave one interrupted yeat at the club.
