West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett is confident a Perth-based hub is a viable option for AFL matches to be played in Western Australia.

The Eagles are keen to host matches at Optus Stadium, hopefully with fans in attendance. On Monday afternoon, WA Premier Mark McGowan announced crowds of 60,000 are set to be able to attend Optus Stadium from July 18. 

Negotiations are continuing between the state government, Police Commissioner and the AFL, with an update expected soon to provide clarity about West Coast returning to WA from their temporary Queensland base.

Nisbett hoped players and staff would be able to fly back after the round five clash against Richmond on Thursday week and isolate at their homes - as five Eagles did when returning from interstate to resume training at Mineral Resources Park before the season restart.

“I think they could probably self-isolate at home as we’ve done it before and it’s been very effective, so that’s what we’re hoping,” Nisbett told ABC Perth.

“But we’d have to follow the protocols set in place by the Chief Health Officer, the Police Commissioner and the Premier.

“We’re waiting on the AFL and the state government to make those decisions, but certainly the hub system can work in Perth.

“I think there has been enough due diligence done on that to make sure it can work and it would be I think wonderful for us to have some games at Optus Stadium, and who knows it may even be open to the public given our great record here (containing COVID-19).”

Following stringent protocols, Nisbett believed two or three interstate teams could travel to Perth on a rolling basis and play each other while in quarantine for 14 days, before facing both WA sides.

“The planning has been behind the scenes for a couple of weeks now and the Police Commissioner has been looking at options along with the Chief Health Officer for clubs to fly into Perth and stay in a hub,” he said.

“But they’d have to be isolated and their only option would be to isolate at a hotel in Perth and then play games at Optus Stadium. That would be the extent of what they would be able to do whilst they’re in Perth.

“Then, hopefully, after that 14-day period they’d then be able to play both West Coast and Fremantle so that we could get some games away in what is a fairly disrupted season at the present stage.”

While the Eagles have disappointed in losses to Gold Coast and Brisbane, Nisbett believed having football back had been positive for many in the community during a difficult time.

“I think it’s been really positive from a mental health perspective and I also think it’s been great for the public to see some action,” he said.

“From our point-of-view we’ve been beaten by better sides and we need to perform better certainly this week against Port Adelaide.”