At the risk of sounding like a walking cliché, 2020 was certainly unprecedented for the NTFA community.
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Prepared to start the season as per usual, COVID-19 decimated those plans - putting a stop to the regular competition before an opt-in shield offered clubs the chance to play.
As the calendar year comes to a close, here are The Examiner's biggest NTFA stories from 2020 and how the league dealt with the tumultuous year.
January 11: Bannister signs on
Arguably the biggest recruit to grace the turf in 2020, North Launceston star Dakota Bannister re-joined former coach Andrew Philpott at Bracknell.
With the 23-year-old citing a TSL burnout and the chance to relax with mates as reasons for the move, coach Philpott was pleased with his signing.
"We had a list of names, obviously Dakota was one that was right at the top, along with three or four others that we'd identified over the last few seasons of football," Philpott said.
"I knew him and have known him since he was a young kid - always got on with him and found him easy to deal with."
February 14: Eagles become UTAS Lions
Uni-Mowbray embarked on a historic name change earlier this season, changing their identity to the University of Tasmania Football Club.
Looking to attract higher quality footballers looking to study in the state, the change was a long time coming according to president Wayne Thompson.
"It's something we've been looking forward to since the end of last year," he said.
"It's a way of the branding, getting our footy club out exposed not just in Tassie but to the students coming from on the mainland to strengthen us to where we should be and where we have been in the past."
March 18: Season postponed
Just over two weeks out from the season's start, the NTFA followed the NAB League and TSL's lead by postponing all matches to at least May 31.
"As a large community body that touches thousands of individuals and families across six municipalities, we have a responsibility to respond in a consistent manner in conjunction with government, department of health and other organisations across Tasmania," NTFA president Scott Rigby said.
May 23: Season decision nears
Speaking to assorted media, Rigby said a decision on the 2020 season neared but was unable to provide a clear timeline as the May 31 date approached.
Following a presidents' meeting earlier that week, each committee came up with a list of pros and cons to the season going ahead before the official decision was made almost two weeks later.
In one of the more light-hearted moments of a dark year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison continued his friendship with Bridgenorth Football Club - appearing on Parrot Park Radio.
Originally visiting the club during the campaign trail, Morrison appeared at last season's NTFA grand final before chatting with club legends Bobby Beams and Justin Ketchell.
"When they came to us last year and said they were going to make an announcement, someone major will be making it and it just changed everything," Beams said.
"The notoriety that came with it and he formed that bond with J-Rod Cirkel, the fella with the big mullet, and then he came back for the grand final with his family and just enjoyed his time."
May 30: Deloraine to play for free
A day later, it was back to the serious stuff with Deloraine coach Lochy Dornauf writing an open letter to the NTFA in regards to player payments.
The Kangaroos coach stated that the club's 61 registered players were committed for forgoing payments for the season in order to get the competition off the ground.
"[Playing footy] shouldn't come at a cost of clubs going into a deficit and by removing the highest annual expenditure, we hope will result in a highly competitive and enjoyable season - back to the basics of junior football," Dornauf said.
June 4-5: Year called off
On the evening of June 3, a Facebook post confirmed the news that many figured was coming - the NTFA season was done.
No matches would be played for official premiership points with the idea of an opt-in competition floated by president Rigby.
Describing the decision as disappointing but the right thing to do, the league was cancelled for the first time since World War II.
"Last night was a big decision to be made and we haven't made it for a long, long, long time so that's going to take a little while to settle in and a little while for clubs to reset and see where they are actually at," Rigby said.
June 26: Shield announced
Just three weeks after the season was officially called off, a competitive alternative was confirmed with 10 clubs set to take part in the inaugural NTFA Shield.
While the clubs weren't confirmed until the fixtures were announced on July 1, it was agreed that players wouldn't be paid for the competition.
Seniors, under-21s and women's were played with Scottsdale, Bridgenorth, Deloraine, Bracknell, Old Launcestonians, Old Scotch, Meander Valley, University of Tasmania, Rocherlea and George Town (under-21s only) taking part.
July 19: Season kicks off
The Ethan Petterwood-coached Scottsdale started the season with a strong nine-point win over Rocherlea at 'the snake pit' while Old Launcestonians, Deloraine and Bridgenorth also tasted victory.
September 6: Unable to be split
Old Scotch and Deloraine played out a blockbuster draw at the NTCA Ground as Scotch's Lachie Bremner had the chance to win the game after the siren.
Dornauf believed his side 'got away' with the result, complimenting Scotch in the process - describing them as worthy of promotion to premier league.
September 15: Deloraine to host
With a limit of 500 people put on crowds at the time, the NTFA announced Deloraine as the host of the under-21s and seniors grand final while the women's would be played at Bridgenorth.
This would eventually be raised to 1000 for the clash, with president Don Tracey welcoming the match.
"You only have to walk down the street, there's people asking how we are doing, where we are playing next and they've been asking if we are going to get the grand final, things like that," he said.
September 27-28: Roos, Saints, Pies victorious
The grand final would prove to be a joyous occasion for the hosts as Dornauf's men won the NTFA Shield, defeating Rocherlea by 38 points.
Overcoming the disappointment of their under-21s tasting defeat against George Town earlier in the day, the Kangaroos celebrated on the ground with local icon Terry Roles - who is battling motor neurone disease.
October 23: Moving forward
After the successful shield season, the NTFA wasted little time in announcing dates for the 2021 roster.