Four months ago, the concept of an AFL team starting a wintry Monday with a change to the date, opposition and city for their next match was unthinkable.
The ‘one week at a time’ cliche has since taken on additional meaning amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Dane Rampe, a nervous flyer at the best of times, has embraced Sydney’s diversion to face West Coast.
The Swans’ first game-day flight of the season will come on early Saturday morning, when they head to the Gold Coast and confront a side that is yet to register a win since the COVID-19 shutdown.
Rampe, who is desperate to make fellow co-captain Luke Parker’s 200th game a milestone to remember, suggested this week’s scenario would have ruffled a few feathers if it happened at the start of the stop-start season.
“But we’re now used to being in this sort of environment … it’s almost like you’re forced into expecting the unexpected,” Rampe told AAP.
“Having that time off after round one, it got blokes into the headspace that they knew there would be a lot of sudden change and uncertainty. The boys have handled everything really well.
“We’ve spoken about how it (game-day interstate travel) is going to be a bit different, but to embrace it … it shouldn’t be an obstacle at all.”
Rampe highlighted how North Melbourne and Essendon, who shared a flight to Sydney in round two, both banked gutsy victories.
The gun defender is among the league’s most well-travelled players, having made a habit of backpacking around different parts of the world during his off-seasons.
But flying remains an uncomfortable experience for the 30-year-old; and a source of some mirth among teammates.
“I can’t explain it … it’s your standard, average, little bit of fear of flying. There’s no shortage of people in the AFL who have it,” Rampe said.
“It’s more of a laugh than anything else.
“It’s just something I have to deal with. I’m not too worried about getting on a plane on game day.”
The Swans, seeking to bounce back after an emotional loss to Western Bulldogs, are desperate to honour Parker’s contribution to the club in the hard-nosed midfielder’s milestone match.
“It does naturally galvanise everyone a bit … you want to find that extra little bit to get over the line for them,” Rampe said.