Rarely has the phrase week by week held so much meaning.
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Normally the domain of reserved coaches, the cliche is trotted out to reinforce the message that teams are focused purely on their next opponent. Whether it's accurate or not.
But this year, amid the haze of a global pandemic, the Illawarra's rugby players and coaches have every reason to use the phrase.
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With coronavirus clusters on the South Coast and in Camden and Campbelltown, the season, starting Saturday, stands on a knife's edge.
They genuinely don't know if there will be another game next weekend.
But for the eight teams that will partake in this year's competition, every match is a bonus.
For this is a season that was initially abandoned, the prospect of easing restrictions looking unlikely when the decision was made.
Those restrictions were lifted days later and here we are, moments away from one of the more challenging competitions in recent memory.
For new Vikings coach Phil Green, this year, which starts with a clash with Shoalhaven, is about focusing on playing football, adhering to new restrictions and blocking out the possibility the season could end at any moment.
"It's a realistic proposition," Green said. "But it's beyond our control, it's beyond anyone's control.
"All we can do is stick to protocol, control our environment and do the right thing. The fate of the season is for those well above us to decide."
Green steps into the head coaching role determined to lead Vikings back to the success he had in his previous stint at the club.
Premierships in 2010 and 2011 a testament to his ability to lead a team to the top of the mountain.
While it's been nine years since Green led a Vikings first grade side, he's confident success is not too far away.
"It's been a while since I've been here and the club's probably underachieved in that time.
"As soon as I got back into the environment, it's been really enjoyable and very rewarding for me. Seeing the effort and attitude of the playing group, they've worked really hard and we're enjoying our time together."
Saturday will mark the first round of the eight-team, nine-round competition.
The season will commence with a number of big matches, Avondale to host Shamrocks in a grand final rematch at Gerry Cappetta Oval.
Kiama will take on Campbelltown on home turf, while Tech Tahs will make the trip north to face Camden.
All matches will kick off at 3:15.