It would be an understatement to say Jack Darling has endured a rollercoaster pre-season.

The three-time West Coast Eagles leading goal-kicker was cruising through the summer slog before copping an errant elbow to the face during a handball drill.

Darling did not think much of the blow at the time, but subsequent scans revealed that he had sustained a minor fracture to his cheekbone.

The injury did not stop him from clocking up the kilometres required to prepare for a home and away campaign, but it did rule him out of contact work for several weeks and forced him to miss the club’s two Marsh Community Series fixtures.

“I actually went to tackle (Will Schofield) and he was looking the other way and handpassed it,” Darling said.

“I just collected his elbow as he was handpassing.

“I’ve had to do a lot of kilometres in the rehab group, doing 12-13 km sessions. We had an intraclub on Friday, I felt really good and yeah, since I’ve been back with the main group I’ve had a couple of knocks to the face and it’s healed up good.

“It’s almost been six weeks now, so I’m feeling confident in it.”

And then after waiting patiently on the sidelines for round one to roll around, Darling, like the rest of the AFL community, was left in limbo wondering whether the season would go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately his concerns were allayed when AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced that the season would proceed – albeit in a modified format – on the eve of the first fixture.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for sure, not knowing if we are going to play,” Darling conceded.

“We’ve been training for so long and it’s nice to get started into the season. I’m happy to play.”

As eager as Darling is to get going, he knows things won’t be the same when he strides onto Optus Stadium today.

With no fans permitted to attend the game, West Coast will be greeted by vacant stands instead of their parochial blue and gold army.

Darling said the Eagles were determined to not let the quiet atmosphere affect their performance.

“It’s going to be different,” Darling said.

“Whatever team can put it behind them and just focus on their job or role in the team will probably be better off. We will concentrate on doing that.

“I think we’ll have to create our own energy.

“Liam Ryan, he usually gets the boys up and about. Lewis Jetta, he’s usually pretty good for that.

“I think round one, if you can’t get yourself up for that there is something wrong with you. I’m really excited and I’m sure Melbourne will be as well.”