Roger Federer emerged from a six-month layoff, which wrecked his 2016 season, to win three Grand Slams in 18 months.

It elevated the Swiss' career tally to 20 majors. Now, aged 38, he is still one of the most dangerous players on tennis' world tour.

Could a similar short-term break extend Koroit's premiership run in the Hampden league?

The coronavirus pandemic dashed the Saints' plans to make it a record seven straight senior football flags in 2020.

But the hiatus could prove a blessing in disguise.

It coincided with an off-season exodus including Damian O'Connor (retirement) Daniel Roache (Panmure), James Gow (St Joseph's), Lachie Rhook (South Cairns), Tom Couch (overseas) and Connor Hinkley (Blackburn).

No one would question the Saints' desire but the omissions, coupled with banged up bodies, threatened to end their run.

Time away might reinvigorate those who had toiled hard for so long and help the club add some finishing touches to a still-strong list.

It's already started to do so, welcoming premiership forward Tim McIntyre back for 2021 after two years away.

McIntyre is a match-winner. A Magarey Medal in the SANFL prior to his first Hampden league stint is testament to that.

Other players will be on the Saints' radar.

One aspect the club prides itself on is attracting past players back into the fold.

Once a Saint, always a Saint.

The bonus for Koroit, and re-signed coach Chris McLaren, is the bulk of the footballers on their wish list would be walk-up starters at most Hampden league rivals.

Watch this space over the next few months.

Another area where the Saints might improve is from within.

Clever forward Jyron Neave crossed from Warrnambool and District league club Merrivale before the season was thrown into chaos.

How effective will he be at a higher level, should he choose to remain at Victoria Park next year?

Then there's the budding teenage cohort including Clem Nagorcka, Tom Baulch and Mac Petersen.

McLaren is Koroit through and through and has committed to the cause.

It will be his fourth season in five years (after the virus wiped out one season).

Stability at the top will be more important after 12 months of upheaval which brought south-west sport to its knees.

"I love coaching and I love our footy club," McLaren told The Standard this week.

"They're clearly a great team and a great group of people and also, with this season being wiped out, it would have been a pretty big ask to get a new coach to start (in 2021).

"It wouldn't have felt right to finish up (like this). Every coach has a life expectancy and I'm probably getting to the end of that but it wouldn't have been right to finish this way."

The only way McLaren, already a three-time premiership coach, would like to finish is with another trophy in the Saints' cabinet. Now rested, the league's powerhouse has a greater chance to do just that.