AFL FANS were in Adam Simpson's thoughts on Sunday night, with the West Coast coach considering the sad reality that some had watched their last game of Australian football as the game moves into an extended shutdown.
Simpson was unsure how to motivate his players ahead of their clash against Melbourne at Optus Stadium after learning that the season would be postponed until at least May 31 after their clash.
The premiership coach considered playing down the situation his team found itself in and saying, 'This is just round one, it's just four points'.
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But he also considered addressing the COVID-19 crisis, knowing that for some of the fans locked out of Optus Stadium and watching on TV, there would be no more football to look forward to after Sunday.
"I knew in the car, just getting to the ground, and I thought, 'Do you tell the players, do you not talk about it'," Simpson said after the match.
"I didn't know whether to say, 'Boys, this is the last game for two or three months so let's treat it like our Grand Final, or this is just round one, it's four points'.
"I didn't know whether to motivate with, 'There's some people who might have watched their last game of footy ever today'. To the people and supporters at West Coast in particular, we're proud of our players."
Simpson said he hoped the two teams had helped fans smile on Sunday before players move into isolation themselves and take an extended break from their clubs. Their families and club staff were now their focus.
An eerie silence followed the final siren at Optus Stadium as players from both clubs hunched over after West Coast's 27-point win.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn described the "bizarre" feeling as being similar to the final game of a season.
"That final siren was a little bit weird. Who knows when footy is going to happen again, and footy is normal for us," the ruckman said.
"It's a bizarre feeling. Probably similar to a round-23 feeling to be honest. Not really knowing what was coming."
Gawn said the impact on players of travelling away from their families should not be underestimated and he was proud of how his teammates handled it, sensing they had "a big responsibility on our hands to put a big game in".
Coach Simon Goodwin said the Demons' focus now was to contribute to the community by doing everything they could to get the coronavirus under control.
"It's a lot bigger than footy, so we need to be role models in this area," he said.
"Our primary role is to be a part of the community that does what they do and helps and makes it better.
"We have got parents and this really critical for them and it's a tough time for everyone and is going to be a tough time for a long time by the sounds of it. So, for our players and staff, we have to play our role."
