While the Hume league season was cut short by COVID-19, they played more rounds than any other competition in the region.

"What we do forget, and people are starting to realise it, is that we did get to play 16 games," Morton said.

"I've said it on more than one occasion: the competition is far more important than the result.

"We got out there and we played footy, which is particularly important for the younger kids.

"That's the worry. If kids hadn't played footy for two years, some of them would have found another way to entertain themselves.

"At least we got that 16 games of footy in, so we've got that launching pad for next year."

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The Brookers were premiership contenders in all four grades of football, yet Morton is philosophical.

"People were sick of the 'not sure' attitude," he said.

"We just wanted a decision.

"It's been four weeks since we've trained and that's too long for a contact sport that runs for 80-100 minutes.

"You can't have four weeks off and just expect to turn up again. It's a body contact sport.

"Sharpy (senior coach Matt Sharp) tried to maintain the enthusiasm but at the same time, he's been very realistic about the situation as it's moved on.

"They locked us up for four weeks. You had to be the greatest optimist to think Gladys and the NSW Government were going to say 'righto, go back to normal.'

"Let's be honest, it was never going to happen."

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