West Coast players after their R1 win over Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

WEST Coast and Fremantle are investigating plans that would see their entire football department relocate to the Gold Coast for matches and training in the early parts of the AFL season resumption.

Due to the Western Australian government's hardline stance on forcing visitors to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in WA, Eagles and Dockers leaders are looking at interstate alternatives.

WA premier Mark McGowan said last week he would make no exemptions for football, which is likely to force the Eagles and Dockers into away matches until border restrictions are lifted.

05:26

The swab 'tickled your brain': Players speak after mass COVID testing

Mitch Cleary and Nat Edwards with a Footy Feed update

Gold Coast was initially raised a leading contender to house a quarantine hub for up to 10 clubs before the AFL moved to develop plans on a more traditional 'fly-in, fly-out' model.

HUB SNUB? Players consider standing down as tensions escalate

Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett confirmed his club was looking at the option of being based on the Gold Coast but reiterated the goalposts were constantly moving.

"(We're) still working on a few scenarios and the Gold Coast is one of them at the moment," Nisbett told AFL.com.au.

12:02

Pull your heads in, Crows: Another Adelaide camp goes 'haywire'

Ross Lyon on ANOTHER 'misstep' for the Crows, the Eagles getting caught out, and Kochie v Malthouse

"(There's) still a lot to do."

The Dockers also confirmed, when contacted, that they were exploring the likelihood of shifting to the Gold Coast, having previously looked at Melbourne.

The Suns, through chief executive Mark Evans and coach Stuart Dew, have pushed the Gold Coast's case in recent weeks highlighting the facilities and climate as significant drawcards.

HUB IN THE SUN Lions, Suns unite for Queensland

"That is a decision for the AFL and those affected clubs but we have always said the Gold Coast is safe and has everything required to be a base for multiple teams," Evans told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.

08:48

Last Time I Cried: He said, 'My mum died on Christmas Day'

Footy hard man Campbell Brown has paid a raw and powerful tribute to his late mother Kay in an emotional interview with Hamish McLachlan

"We would be happy to have other clubs based here to help get the season underway and they would enjoy being on the Gold Coast."

Another plan mooted would see the Eagles and Dockers play a Derby at Optus Stadium to kickstart the season to ensure another week in their own beds before heading east.

The AFL continues to work on the fixture for the season restart that is expected to become clearer on Thursday.

Should the Eagles and Dockers move eventuate, they would likely play the Suns and Lions as part of the early rounds of the season.

They could also share a chartered flight to Queensland where the state government has approved professional sporting codes, such as the AFL and NRL, exemptions to avoid self-isolation.

It comes as Queensland health authorities demand Suns and Lions players receive flu vaccinations before returning to training, something the Eagles and Dockers would undoubtedly have to work through. 

Interestingly, the Eagles are winless from their past two visits to Metricon Stadium, including a three-point loss (2017) and draw (2015) against the Suns.

The Dockers also fell in their last two matches at the venue in 2019 and 2016.

While Adelaide and Port Adelaide are yet to receive official clearance from the SA government, both clubs are confident in receiving exemptions to avoid 14-day self-isolation measures when returning to and from the state for matches.