SPARE a thought for Melbourne supporters.
After a success-starved 57 years, Demons fans will be locked down and under a 9pm curfew if the club ends the third-longest premiership drought in VFL/AFL history.
The COVID-19 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are likely to be almost identical to last year's Toyota AFL Grand Final, when the Gabba in Brisbane hosted the historic first AFL decider held outside of Victoria.
No friends and family around for a barbecue or celebrating at a pub afterwards.
A consecutive night Grand Final will also be the second time in a row two Victorian teams have contested the showpiece game.
The difference last October was Richmond lapped up their third premiership in four seasons and the Tiger army had already got the emotional and wild celebrations out of their system in 2017 when they broke their 37-year run without a flag.
Instead of raucous parties shutting down the busiest streets in Australia's second-biggest city, Melbourne supporters will have to come up with creative and innovative ways to soak up a historic achievement.
The Western Bulldogs already had their own special time in 2016, when Melbourne's western suburbs erupted at the end of a 62-year premiership drought following a surreal run to the flag from seventh.
The obvious option in 2021 is a video call, but after living through 18 months of a pandemic, Zoom fatigue is starting to take its toll.
Lifelong Demons die-hard Clare Murphy will focus most of her attention on the action, rather than simultaneously navigate yet another online meeting.
But there will be some sense of normality as she will still tweet out her themed GIFs during the game amid the tension of watching the Demons attempt to win their first premiership since 1964.
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"It will be a tricky one in terms of staying in touch with people on the day but also making sure it doesn't take you away from the actual game," Murphy told AAP.
"My whole family and a lot of my friends go for Melbourne, so it does break my red and blue heart that we can't be together for this because footy for me is about being with those people as well as the game.
"I do miss the finals season office conversations that you usually have around this time.
"After years of gentle teasing from my colleagues about my choice of football team, I can't believe I'm missing the chance to be a bit smug for a change."
While Victorian-based supporters will be denied a fairytale Grand Final at the MCG, West Australians will bask in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Susan Alberti, an influential Bulldogs figure and women's football pioneer, revealed she was able to use her membership barcode and purchase two Grand Final tickets for a deserving 10-year-old supporter and his mother in Perth.
The members ticketing allocation for the Demons and Bulldogs both sold out in quick time this week.
"Imagine how lucky the Demons and Bulldogs fans who live in Perth are - they must be pinching themselves," AFL fans association treasurer Ron Issko told AAP.
"You feel sorry for some and happy for others."
The AFLFA has suggested once restrictions ease in Victoria as vaccination rates increase, then a special gathering should be organised so supporters can see their team hold the cup aloft in person.
Tens of thousands of fans usually pack into their home bases the day after a Grand Final to celebrate together.
"Whoever wins, Bulldogs or Melbourne, when they come back and Melbourne opens I'm sure they will have some kind of family day function to celebrate the premiership," Issko said.
"They will get it but it might be delayed until late this year or even next year - I'm sure they will get it.
"The players will want to celebrate with their fans here too - but the most important thing is winning that premiership."