Especially in the sports world, as competitions do their best to allow their 2021 seasons to continue.

Take former Shellharbour Shark Euan Aitken for example.

During his debut season with the New Zealand Warriors, a club that has been based in Australia since the start of 2020 because of COVID, injury hit the star centre - sidelining him for more than two months.

After strenuous rehabilitation, the Merimbula-Pambula junior returned to the NRL field in round 10, in the Warriors' 34-18 loss to Parramatta.

This was to be the first of five straight matches the 26-year-old plays for his club.

Read more: Olympic heartache: Commerford opens up about agonising non-selection

Just when it appeared he was starting to get into his groove, which saw him played for NSW Country 2016, Aitken and his teammate Josh Curran were forced into isolation for 14 days - after they were passengers on a Virgin Gold Coast to Sydney flight, in which numerous members of the public tested positive to COVID.

"When Josh and I found out the cabin crew member had tested positive, we were obviously concerned we might have caught COVID too - that's exactly where your mind jumps to," Aitken said.

"However, as I was right up the back in the corner of the plane, I was confident I probably avoided crossing paths with that flight attendant but you never really know with those things.

"Thankfully, when the tests came back and said we were both negative, I was very relieved and grateful."

This derailed Aitken's first season with the Nathan Brown-coached Warriors even further, as he was forced to train by himself, while the remainder of his squad continued to work hard at their Central Coast base.

"It's definitely a situation I haven't experienced before but I was a little better off than Josh as I had my partner Kirsty there with me during the isolation," said Aitken, who played games such as monopoly and chess in his hotel room against his partner.

"There's no doubt it was tough to watch games on television and train by myself. I had to run up and down the driveway, which is only about 25 metres, to stay fit and exercise.

Read more: Sims' rugby league career comes full circle with new role

"I got into a bit of a routine and tried to do close to 4km every second day, as to not put too much stress on my joints running on the hard surface.

"I did the best I could with the resources I had and thankfully I was aided by the club dropping off some gym equipment to use."

Just when the former Group Seven player was about to end his two-week exodus from the side, the NRL announced it would be shifting all 12 NCW and ACT-based sides to southeast Queensland for the foreseeable future - to ensure the competition can continue despite the Greater Sydney lockdown.

"It's an unfortunate situation we have to go through but it's what is necessary for the game and our careers," Aitken, who spent the extra time in lockdown to work on his university degree, said.

"I've only been here this season but some of my teammates have been living out of a suitcase for nearly two years now - so for them to have to pack up and move once again was a little frustrating, but there's people much worse off than us.

"I'm trying to keep a bit of perspective around that - we're lucky at the end of the day to still be able to work and do what we love.

"I'm really just focused on doing whatever I have to do to get back on the field, as I've obviously had an unlucky year when it comes to injuries and missing time.

"I believe I've done enough work to maintain my fitness and strength over the past couple of weeks, considering the less than ideal circumstances, and I'm keen to get back out there and help the boys."

Read more: Wright trains with UFC world champ to prepare for maiden Games tilt

That opportunity could come as early as Sunday, as the 127-game NRL veteran was named in the Warriors' extended bench for their round 18 clash with the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.

"We all know Sunday will be a big challenge, one we're all looking forward to," the three-time Scottish international said.

"The Panthers are well-drilled and have been one of the benchmark sides all year but with a couple of guys out and backing up from injury, this is a good time to play them.

"It's a big chance for us to stand up and show that we deserve to play finals.

"We know as a group we're not far off but it doesn't make the recent losses any less frustrating.

"Building pressure and playing for the full 80 minutes have been big points of discussion over the past month and if we do that, we know it'll give us a big chance to win matches."

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.