New Eagles skipper Luke Shuey. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

IT WON'T feel like home but West Coast captain Luke Shuey believes there'll be a sense of normality for the Eagles when they resume their AFL season on the Gold Coast.

West Coast will be based in Queensland for at least four weeks, with regular home fixtures impossible under Western Australia's health regulations.

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Shuey is backing the 2018 premiers' maturity and depth of leadership to get them through the unprecedented challenge.

But he acknowledges it could be an even longer haul for the WA teams unless the state's hard border closure is lifted.

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"Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that," Shuey told reporters on Wednesday.

"We've got some great leaders here who are running the footy club and some great guys in the playing group who have been through a lot in their playing careers.

"I think once we get up to the Gold Coast there'll be a sense of normality.

"I don't think any game will feel like a home game up there purely because we're not in Perth. But we certainly appreciate the fact that while we're there, we don't have to travel."

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Shuey won't be taking his young family with him initially but expects some teammates to take up the offer negotiated between the AFL and players' union.

The family issue and the duration of the hub stay have been key concerns as the Eagles work through which players will travel to the Gold Coast.

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"As long as the opportunity is there for guys if they need to pull the trigger on it and get the family up there, then that's great," first-year skipper Shuey said.

"I'm sure there's going to be a few boys who are having to take the families up and get through the hub situation but for a lot of us we'll just wait and see."

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The Eagles had their first contact training session on Tuesday and will complete another four sessions, likely peaking in intensity next Friday, before arriving in Queensland a few days prior to facing the Suns at Metricon Stadium on June 13.

"We'll have to ramp up pretty quick and push the boundaries on how hard we can go," Shuey said.

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