Foundation Eagles David Hart and Andrew Lockyer shared 62 games and 43 wins in the AFL, and together rode much of the same roller-coaster through the club’s early years.

Their first win, their first final, their first finals win and even their first grand final.

They played in each other’s 50^th game and when Lockyer had a career-best 18 possessions against Melbourne in Round 16, 1987 Hart was among his teammates. And he, too, had 18 possessions.

They each played in the game in which the other kicked their career-best four goals, and each holds the club record for most games played in their respective jumper numbers - Hart in #36 and Lockyer in #45.

But their special bond is built on a life highlight before any of these things occurred.

They debuted together on Anzac Day.

It was April 25, 1987 when a 21-year-old Lockyer and a 23-year-old Hart became Eagles player #29 and Eagles player #30 against Hawthorn at Princes Park.

It was the Eagles’ fifth game in the AFL. Hart had 15 possessions and kicked a goal in a 12-point win over an opponent that would go to play in the 1987 grand final, and Lockyer had 14 possessions.

Hart, who went on to play 184 games and share in the 1994 premiership and Lockyer, a 78-gamer whose career peaked in the 1991 grand final loss he shared with his little mate, are the only Eagles to have debuted on Anzac Day.

This is largely because the club has only played on Anzac Day twice.

The other time the club was actively involved in what is a day of huge national celebration was 22 years later in 2009, when they played at York Park in Launceston. They played Hawthorn again, but this time they lost by 18 points.

They were scheduled to play for a third time on Anzac Day this year prior to the Coronavirus outbreak. Again, it was to be against Hawthorn. And again it was to be at York Park on Saturday afternoon.

As the Eagles contemplate the Anzac Day game that won’t be because of the Coronavirus pandemic Jamie Cripps today will celebrate a 28^th birthday that won’t really feel like a birthday.

It’s been a recurring theme through lockdown, with Jeremy McGovern not celebrating his 28^th birthday in normal fashion on Wednesday of last week (15 April), Jack Petruccelle likewise his 21^st on 12 April, and Dom Sheed his 25^th on 10 April.

But at least, with the prospect of football being played at some stage, the should-have-been milestones that have been missed and others that have been under threat for 2020 will get a second chance.

Like Andrew Gaff’s 200^th game and Jamie Cripps’ 150^th Eagles game that were due in round three and the 200^th game of Jack Darling and Lewis Jetta scheduled for round four.

Although Brad Sheppard, stranded on 179 games, will not be able to reach 200 this year because of the Coronvirus pandemic there will be enough games for Will Schofield to fit in the 10 he needs to reach his double century. And for Josh Kennedy to play the six he needs for 250 AFL games.

Liam Duggan, too, could play the 14 games he needs to reach 100, but Jack Redden will need to play the 16 remaining home-and-away games plus one final to reach 100 games for the Eagles.