In the current environment, Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe admits to feeling some trepidation about his team's trip to Adelaide this weekend, but he's backed the league's decision to begin the 2020 season.
In the middle of a coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most sporting competitions around the world, the Swans will leave their familiar base at the SCG to begin their campaign against the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Rampe and his teammates have restructured their regimes to help combat the threat of COVID-19, training in small groups where they can and implementing rigorous hygiene practices around the footy club.
The 2019 Club Champion said on Thursday the AFL's call to go ahead with Round 1 was the right one, but he's also anxious about jumping on a plane to Adelaide, and what the future holds.
"It's just the reality (of the situation we're in)," Rampe said.
"We've been assured by the AFL, who have been assured by the government that it's safe (to play), so we just have to take that as face value and roll with the punches.
"How we travel this week will probably be different to how we travel in two weeks' time, so it's pretty interesting, but we just have to deal with the best way we can and hopefully do it better than any other team.
"Yes, it is different, but we've all been briefed on it, we're all comfortable with it and we're all convinced that we can manage it as well as possible when the virus – hopefully it doesn't – eventually makes its way inside the four walls (of the footy club)," Rampe said.
"I was a little bit surprised by the number (of players voting in support of the season starting), but not surprised in that we're all footballers and we love playing.
"That’s the thing to remind everyone out there. We understand that we're in a really tricky situation that’s affecting a lot of people.
"I'm glad I wasn't the one making the decision because either way (you decide), I think you're treading a fine line.
"The reality is we had the decision made for us and we get to play footy so we're rapt, and if we can bring a little bit of normality to people's lives, then that can only be a good thing."
The Swans will take on the Crows without superstar goal-kicker Lance Franklin, who will miss at least the first two games of the season as he continues in his recovery from knee surgery, and fellow tall Sam Reid (calf), who is also back training after an interrupted summer.
However, Rampe backed Tom Papley, Will Hayward, Nick Blakey and recruits Sam Gray and Lewis Taylor to help the team kick a winning score.
"We would never say we're a better team without Bud, but if you look at the past, we've risen to the challenge when he's not out there," he said.
"It seems the boys take a sense of leadership and responsibility upon their shoulders and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.
"They're ready and we're really confident in what they can bring."
Rampe was also positive about his defensive group, even if the retirement of veteran premiership trio Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith has taken almost 800 games off the Sydney playing list.
"I'm really bullish about our prospects," he said.
"Aliir Allir has had a great pre-season, Jordan Dawson has realised the impact he can have not only on our team, but across the competition, and Callum Mills' leadership has taken another step.
"I'm really looking forward to what our backline can achieve, and it's a group that if we can get it right, I think we can stick together for the best part of a decade.
"There's going to be bumps and bruises along the way but I'm really excited about it."
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