The Ballarat Football League season is on hold with the COVID-19 virus having brought sport to a standstill.
AFL Victoria has suspended all as 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 teams will shape up.
There is good reason for optimism at Melton South.
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And it all relates to some serious recruiting by coach Heath Pritchard, who is preparing for his second full season in charge of the Panthers.
When took over midway through 2018, he knew that if he was to stay on for the long-term he would need to overhaul Melton South's list.
He was banking on using some close relationships with players while a runner with Port Melbourne in the VFL to achieve this.
He initially nurtured this by getting a sizeable group to have the Panthers as their home club.
The question remained though, could he get some these players to Melton South Recreation Reserve full-time?
Well, he has done it with the signing of Ryan Pendlebury, Dylan Conway, Shannen Lange and Billy Lloyd exceeding expectations.
That's is not a bad start, but for long suffering Melton South supporters they desperately want to see this turned into sustained on-field success.
The Panthers just missed finals in 2017 after going on a recruiting binge under Brendan Fevola and Sean Triplett, but they fell away.
There is a different feel about it this time though.
Pritchard said each of the recruits was still in his prime and in for the long haul at Melton South.
"They're not only quality players. They're teachers and great with the younger guys.
"They're demanding on the field, but fair. It's the sort of leadership we need if we are to be competitive in a sustained way."
Pritchard said the club had had to make some decisions, but those around the club had stayed loyal and could see a light at the end of tunnel with the path it was on.
"There's a lot more to do, but we've ticked a lot of boxes."
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
The arrival of three top quality VFL players from Port Melbourne is huge for Melton South.
Ryan Pendlebury, Dylan Conway, Shannen Lange and Billy Lloyd land at the Panthers at the peak of their powers and will make a significant impact.
For coach Heath Pritchard, they deliver what he hoped his ties with the Borough would do - add quality players and on-field leadership.
Paul Bower is a big loss after just the one year at Melton Recreation Reserve, but the lure of his home state was too much to resist.
