Kade Klemke has given his Canberra Demons squad four weeks off to recharge the batteries as they brace for a long wait for the NEAFL's opening bounce.
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The Demons were slated to open their campaign against the GWS Giants at Phillip Oval on April 4 before the coronavirus pandemic forced competitions to go on hiatus.
Now players have been granted a month-long break before club officials reassess the situation en route to a revised start date of May 31.
Demons player-coach Klemke says the timing could prove to be a blessing for a new-look Demons outfit which was carrying a raft of injury concerns into round one.
"We'll try to make the best of the situation," Klemke said.
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"We're looking at this time as an opportunity to get fitter, get stronger, continue to work on our game plan. We've had a few boys that were questionable for round one fitness-wise.
"So now those guys should be fully fit by the time May 31 comes. We could be in a better position for that round one game, so we're trying to use the positives out of it.
"It's not just us, it's every competition now in a similar boat. It sucks, but people's health is more important than a game of footy.
"We thought it was wise to protect the players as best as we can, and it was a good opportunity to give them a rest.
"It would have been silly for us to continue on, when we could limit the opportunity for the boys to get it and also give them a break at the same time."
Canberra's opening four games were scheduled to be played at Phillip Oval, with an annual Good Friday clash and ANZAC Day showdown among them.
But the 21-round fixture will likely undergo a major revamp before the competition can resume.
Klemke concedes he has "no idea" what it might look like as officials consider slicing rounds off the regular season in similar fashion to the AFL, whose season has scaled back to 17 games.
"I don't even know if the NEAFL know," Klemke said.
"It depends if we can get back on that date, and we won't know until we get closer to that date. If the season will go longer, I'm not sure.
"We've asked these questions but haven't got an answer yet. We'll just play it by ear as we go and prepare for the 31st as best as we can."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
