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 teams will shape up.
Close, but no premiership.
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A grand final loss in 2018 and defeat in the preliminary final last year.
That has been the story of Melton for the past two BFL seasons.
Can the Bloods take an opportunity which appears to be beckoning?
On the faith they have put on the list under the guidance of coach Aaron Tymms, they firmly believe they can.
One of the biggest wins for Melton with Tymms at the helm has been its player retention rate and his ability to get the maximum out of it.
The vast majority are homegrown and have remained committed to bringing the first flag to MacPherson Park since 2005.
One exception to this in this year has been youngster Ben McMahon, who wants a release to Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League where his brother plays.
While still eligible for under-19s, McMahon was launched into the seniors last season - playing 13 games, with concussion providng the only interruption once he found himself in the side.
Meltron certainly cannot afford to have youngsters of this ilk slipping through their fingers.
Tymms at the end last season made no secret of just how proud he was of the strides Melton had made in his two seasons as senior coach.
Although extremely disappointed with the way the season ended, Tymms said he was excited for the future.
For Melton the future is now - or whenever the next opportunity to play for a premiership comes.
The Bloods were in the process of putting together a big pre-season when it all came to a screaming halt at the hands of COVID-19.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
Melton was as quiet as it has been for sometime in the off-season recruiting stakes.
Melton South's Lachie Watkins, who was Coburg VFL-listed, was the Bloods' prize signing.
Melton has gradually added to its list over the past three years, to appear to be on the cusp of a premiership.
One of those additions back in 2017 was tall key position player Matt Huckstepp from Greenvale.
Huckstepp managed a handful of senior appearances in his first year, but has not been sighted at that level since after a series of injuries.
He did manage a full campaign in the reserves last season and after a big pre-season Huckstepp looks to be back in shape for a return - potentially a replacement for international traveller Mark Orr.
