I was just about to press the go button on the bargain-basement fortnight's holiday in Chernobyl, expecting the Monday morning press conference at FFA headquarters to confirm the suspension of the A-League.
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But then FFA chief executive James Johnson announced that the competition would continue behind closed doors, with a view to expediting the remaining fixtures, in an attempt to get a satisfactory conclusion to the season.
Inappropriate jokes aside, the plan seems to be the best chance the governing body has of finding a reasonably equitable pathway to the end of the season.
Of course the best-laid plans can be scuppered by one player contracting the coronavirus, or by changing government edict. T
here will be hurdles in terms of ground availabilities, changing fixture schedules and so on, but the end of the season is close enough to merit this attempt, don't you think?
Wellington and Melbourne Victory both face 14 days in isolation before they can play again, and the Phoenix, for obvious reasons, can't play any more games at home.
They face very condensed fixture lists down the track a little way, and that's unfortunate. But, for example, their two scheduled opponents this week, the Jets and Brisbane, rather than sit idle this weekend may be able to bring their round-27 clash up north forward, and free up that weekend for potential catch-up games?
Certainly there would be logistical challenges, but ticketing wouldn't be an issue, and it wouldn't have to be at Suncorp Stadium. Redcliffe? Perry Park? It's the same for both teams, and the 4pm time slot for TV is available on Sunday, and nullifies any questions about stadium lighting quality.
There you go, one game sorted, only 29 more to consider! Good luck to those working on a revised draw.
The recent European experience suggests we are probably unlikely to get through the remaining games. Most have proceeded from playing behind closed doors to almost total community lockdown in less than a fortnight, but we do have the advantage of being a very large island, remote by global standards, and of having the opportunity to assess incoming residents and tourists to a far greater extent than European counterparts.
Watch this space, with fingers crossed.
The Jets kept up the growing momentum of their late-season run with a strong 3-0 win at Adelaide, a place that has traditionally yielded little reward for the Novocastrians. Having just had a bye a week prior, Newcastle could probably do without another vacant weekend. But they have a bit of belief about them, and present a very awkward task to any prospective opponent right now.
The Jets kept up their late-season run with a strong 3-0 win at Adelaide.
Six points behind sixth position with six games to go.
It may seem a devilishly difficult (boom, boom) assignment still, but with a bit of luck, and a heap of momentum, the currently scheduled final game of the Jets season, at home to Western United, is looming as potentially huge!
If it comes to that I might be 499 on the list of the essential 500.
Newcastle's resurgence has coincided with the arrival of new coach Carl Robinson, the return of several key players, and unsurprisingly a largely settled starting 11.
The maintenance of the latter two factors could be the key component in a compressed schedule proposed by the FFA, particularly if this weekend is an unused date for the Jets.
Six games in potentially three or at max four weeks can be a difficult ask, particularly for some older players who take a touch longer to recover. At the moment that, virus aside, might be the toughest obstacle the Jets face.
As noted by CEO Johnson in his statement yesterday, things can change on a daily basis, and the aforementioned plans and prospective hurdles may be totally irrelevant by the time this column goes to press. I hope not.
I may, along with this column, be benched by this time next week.
In the meantime I shall train diligently, avoid nightclubs and nursing homes with equal determination, and hope for the best.
There are some huge decisions to be made in Europe regarding all the major domestic leagues, and the Champions League, Europa League and the European Championships.
We wait to hear how that pans out, and Manchester United fans continue to pray the season is declared null and void, and Liverpool are denied their first title in 30 years.
Speaking of Liverpool, I had meant to discuss their demise in the Champions League today but got sidetracked for obvious reasons. If I'm still on deck in seven days we will discuss the tactics, philosophy and aftermath of their game with Athletico Madrid.
Until then, stay fluid and agile, and don't waste any sheets.