The AFL season has been suspended until at least May 31st as the coronavirus continues to spread, forcing league officials to decide on bringing each clu'bs 2020 campaign to a halt after one round.
Across the first round of this season, many teams flexed their promising starts to the new year before having the season drawn to an indefinite close.
For many seasoned veterans, round one of 2020 may have been their last game, as the postponement period remains a chance to stretch deep into the calendar year and potentially force the season to be abandoned.
The conclusion of 2019 saw 35 AFL players call time on their careers, and with this season's finale potentially having already past, we may see more join them in life after football.
For many of these players, they will wish to play on past 2020 in hope of a fitting farewell, while others will be pushed to the exit as the clubs prepare to face financial strains at the hand of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of players will see 2020 as their final chapter in the league as an unforeseen conclusion remains at hand.
8. Grant Birchall (Brisbane)
Birchall found a lifeline with the Lions, signing a one-year deal to call the GABBA his new home.
Injuries had caused the four-time premiership Hawk to play just the eight games over the last two seasons and miss the opening round against his former side on Sunday.
Birchall will likely find a positive at the other end one way or another. He was given a deserving farewell from Hawthorn at last year's conclusion and may just have enough time to recover this year to return as a dependable defender once again.
Either way, Birchall will be credited as one of the Hawks key role players, and is one just six to be part in all four of the Hawks flags from this century.
