You know things are little out the ordinary when flying interstate and the Virgin Lounge is not the meeting point.

As the West Coast Eagles travelling party embarked on its journey to the Gold Coast’s AFL hub, three buses transported the group airside, where, obeying social distancing guidelines, they boarded via the front stairs.

A seat between each passenger, a small box containing a sandwich and a piece of banana bread and accompanied by a water bottle, was the greeting.

As the aircraft taxied for take-off, three members of the ground crew waved goodbye. It was reminiscent of driving away from the family home in Albany, bidding adieu to my folks.

It was another bizarre experience in a year that is punctuated by such occurrences.

There has been a myriad of peculiar events since March 12 when the Eagles held their season launch at Crown Ballroom. We thought it weird then that players were bused into the event, held back of stage, no mingling with guests. Certainly no handshakes.

The world was going nuts. Even some ‘experts’ thought it extreme as this mysterious virus, carrying the name of a popular Mexican beer, began to infiltrate every city, every country, every continent.

This pandemic is now known universally as COVID-19, far more apt than a beer best served with a slice of lemon.

Since that strategic decision when the West Coast family came together for the first time in 2020 – and to date the last time – so much has changed.

In the hour before the Eagles hosted Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday, March 22, the AFL announced it would suspend the competition indefinitely. The players completed their task in defeating the Demons, of the blue and red variety, convened at Mineral Resources Park for medical screenings and were given programs to keep them in shape.

Under COVID-19 protocols they were able to train in pairs. That was all they could do for about eight weeks.

As Australia – particularly Western Australia – handled the peak of the pandemic better than any other country, restrictions were lifted. A few weeks ago players were able to train in groups of eight; from May 25 there has been two full contact sessions a week when the squad could train as one.

Before that has occurred the players have been tested, not in the traditional physical sense, but with a probe poked down their throats and up the nasal passage. It really is not pleasant.

But it has all been about getting to this point; arriving at the Royal Pines Resort, the base for the next month and the signal that now it’s all about performance.

Day one in this hub was focused on familiarisation. Identifying the varied facilities, meals areas, meeting rooms, common areas and the like.

Tomorrow, the Gold Coast Suns swing into focus. It begins with a training session that signals round two is on the cusp – nearly three months after winning the season opener.