When that off-season ends up becoming 19 months long, it really does seem like an eternity.

Hepburn faced that very predicament following its 2019 grand final loss to Waubra, with COVID-19 wiping out the entire 2020 season.

The Burras returned in round one to face arch-rivals Daylesford, a game which took a turn for the worst.

Bulldogs captain and returning junior star Josh Cowan broke his leg early in the first quarter and an ambulance took 90 minutes to attend to him on the ground.

The game was called off and declared a draw.

When round two rolled around, Hepburn was chomping at the bit for a full game of footy and it sure made the most of it.

The Burras destroyed Carngham-Linton by 215 points, star full-forward Sam Dunstan kicking 20 majors.

That was the theme for the opening rounds of the season thereafter.

Hepburn got the redemption it had been seeking over Waubra, a 14-goal to two second-half helping it to an 89-point win, Dunstan kicking another eight goals.

When the Burras handed improved side Skipton an 88-point defeat the following week, it seemed like they were untouchable.

"We were off to a flyer," outgoing co-coach Jason Over told The Courier.

"Then I think COVID hit, sort of derailed us a little bit."

A tight 12-point win over Bungaree brought the Burras down to earth slightly, but they remained a top two side alongside Gordon.

The two teams met a few weeks later in round nine, Gordon taking the chocolates by 35 points in wet and muddy conditions.

A seven-goal to two second quarter in favour of the Eagles was all that split the sides, Hepburn able to draw even for the remaining three quarters.

Across the season, Hepburn possessed the second-best offence, finishing with an average of 123.91 points per game.

Its defence stood up even stronger, holding teams to just 42.09 points per game, the best in the competition.

"I think as coaches, you coach to the cattle you've got," Olver said.

"We had a very handy side that could kick big scores and our midfield depth just ran so deep.

"When you've got a bloke like Sam Dunstan up forward who probably would have kicked 150 (goals) this year in a full season ... we were just hell-bent on moving the ball as quickly as we possibly could to make it hard on the opposition."

If Hepburn can retain the core of its list, 2022 seems like another strong campaign for the Burras as they try to win their first premiership since 2017.

Olver said some additions to their backline will bolster their squad.

Hepburn is on the hunt for a new senior coach after Olver and Shane Robertson stood down from the position.