Who would have thought that when the 2020 fixture was released that this was how the year would have ended up?
You would have been laughed across the Murray River if you were to suggest to the fervent footballing public of Victoria that many of them would not see a single game live this season.
A straight jacket would have been tailored to your measurements should you have suggested that the Grand Final would be played under lights at the Gabba in October.
However, due to arrival of an unforeseen and, as of yet, untameable virus, the game, like the rest of the world, was forced to make compromises.
With these changes came a fresh batch of terms to enter the footy lexicon, as well as the array of previously unthought of headlines that appeared on mastheads everywhere.
So despite a season that provided challenges for everyone involved in the game, it has also supplied many moments (both good and bad) that will live long in our memories.
Here are the top 10 headlines from a season unlike any before it.
1. Unprecedentedness
As someone that writes about the game and consumes it almost addictively, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that the use of the term unprecedented this season was, well, unprecedented.
The many changes, alterations, hiccups and hissy fits that arose this season could have filled this list entirely. However, to allow for breathing space, we've packaged all the ridiculousness into catalogues summit.
Between hiatuses, false positives, hubs entries, hub exits and a pair of โfooty frenzies', footballing fans have ridden the turbulent tsunami of a season unlike any before it.
Many were unable to attend even a single game live, trading a spot in the outer for the couch and a ludicrously priced mid strength beer for the remote.
We won't bother dredging up every single element of this uncommon season, as it is still fresh in the minds of every fan, but you can be certain if the terms hub, bubble, quarantine and unprecedented are mentioned next season, we're all likely to go a bit loopy.
For the players, I am sure they are ecstatic to be away from their isolated hubs. Although we all thank them for their sacrifices, it must also be mentioned that when the truth comes out about what happened inside the four walls of these 18 bubbles, it is sure to make for a bestselling book.
Still, here is to hoping we will be subjected to a completely precedented 2021 season.
