When the 2020 Bendigo Football Netball League fixture was released last December, the round one date and opponent was the first thing the majority of the players looked for.

That date was Good Friday.

The coronavirus pandemic put paid to that plan and footy grounds around the region will remain vacant for some time.

The forced suspension of the game has put football in perspective for four of the BFNL's premier players.

Sandhurst's Nick Stagg, Gisborne's Pat McKenna, Strathfieldsaye's Lachlan Sharp and Maryborough's Coby Perry are at different stages of their BFNL careers, but they're in unison when it comes to their passion for the game.

When the health concerns lapse, they'll do anything to help their clubs get footy back on the park, including forgoing match payments.

"It really makes you sit back and realise what footy means to you, and sport in general,'' Stagg said.

"There's the competitive side of it, but also the fact you miss time with your mates around the club.

"Without hesitation I'd play (without match payments). I'm sure a lot of other blokes would have the same attitude.

"It comes back to wanting to be in the club environment.

"You get more out of it than what match payments give you. I know there's some players out there that shop themselves around and pretty much play for money, but I'd definitely get out there and play for free."

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McKenna and his Gisborne team-mates were looking to catapult off last year's preliminary final appearance into an even bigger 2020.

For now, that's been taken away from the young Bulldogs.

"This emphasises how much we play footy for enjoyment and how important that side of footy is,'' McKenna said.

"If the club was battling financially then I'm sure I'm sure everyone would play for whatever because of how much they've missed it.

"I think this season, and seasons coming up, that the financial aspect won't play much of a role."

The situation really hit home for Maryborough midfielder Coby Perry when he walked on to Princes Park on Wednesday.

"I went for a run and a kick just to get some exercise,'' Perry said.

"The weather was beautiful, the grass was freshly cut on the oval...it was just perfect for a game of footy.

"I miss the mateship and the enjoyment you get out of the competitive side of footy.

"Training can sometimes be a chore, but not now. You'd give anything to be able to train with all your mates."

Perry echoed Stagg and McKenna's thoughts on the finances involved in footy.

"I'm sure all players would be happy to just to play without match payments,'' Perry said.

"Now that we've gone without footy I think everyone appreciates it.

"We'd love just to get back out there and play a couple of games."

Strathfieldsaye forward Lachlan Sharp said it's not just the players and coaches that are feeling the pinch of having no football.

"Footy clubs are a place where people can go to get away from things,'' Sharp said.

"Players go to training to let off steam from work or be around friends. Families get to games on weekend as an outlet.

"Young Cooper Manton is our mascot, who comes to training every Tuesday and Thursday night and has a kick while we train.

"Footy was something to look forward to for all those people.

"It's sad that it's not happening at the moment. Hopefully, we get footy back later in the year."

Stagg said communication with team-mates via social media had become an important part of Sandhurst's routine.

"We communicate in our players' Facebook page which is as much about everyone's mental health more than anything,'' he said.

"It can get very lonely and depressing when you can't do much with the boys.

"It's important we stay in touch as a group."

While in lockdown, McKenna has concentrated on his university studies.

After a searching pre-season campaign that started in November, McKenna has lightened his training load in recent weeks.

"I'm using this opportunity to refresh and give the body a bit of a spell,'' he said.

"I've been for a couple of light runs, but I'm a realist and I know it's going to be quite a while before we potentially play again.

"There's going to be plenty of time to increase my training again."

If footy does return at some point in 2020 the players are willing to try different formats.

"I don't care how it looks,'' Perry said.

"Even if the league was split into two conferences and we played four or five games and then had finals.

"I get the feeling the players will be happy to play no matter what the season looks like."

Sharp agreed.

"I don't care what the format is, I'll play,'' he said.

"It could be a round robin competition, half a season or a lightning premiership.

"Obviously everyone's health comes first, but I'd love to get footy back this year."

Sharp has a welcome new distraction from footy.

Sharp and his wife have a six-week old boy, Tige, to keep them busy.

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