Dan O'Keefe embracing life on Carlton's Gold Coast AFL hub

The Warrnambool export flew to Queensland on Sunday, leaving wife Cate and son Marley in Victoria as the AFL season evades the coronavirus pandemic.

All Victorian clubs have been temporarily shifted north - with North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs to join the Blues - while other teams will be based in Noosa and Sydney.

The decision came on the back of swelling COVID-19 cases in Melbourne, with authorities scrambling to contain outbreaks across the city. O'Keefe, a development coach, told The Main Break podcast while it was tough to be away from his family, he was taking a "glass half-full" approach.

Carlton, which will face the Bulldogs on Sunday, is tipped to spend 32 days in the Sunshine State hub.

"The optimistic view is that one, I've got a job right now. The unfortunate nature (of the COVID-19 pandemic) is that a lot of other coaches in the industry don't," he said.

"I feel really grateful for that. If it was one way or the other, I'd certainly rather be in this position now.

"Part of that comes with this sacrifice you have to make.

"My wife is down in Warrnambool at the moment and she has great support down there with both her family and my family.

"She's still working seven days a fortnight and is juggling parental duties with work but I think each day I'm away, she grows that bit stronger. It's nice to jump on Snapchat and see all the snaps from the day."

The Geelong Falcons premiership mentor, who was signed to David Teague's setup in the off-season, said only forward Levi Casboult had flown family north for the hub.

He said several of the players' bulky items - including golf clubs and guitars - were scheduled to be shipped up after the club's mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

"We're staying at a golf resort - we can't even walk on it at the moment," O'Keefe said.

"My balcony overlooks the course so it's definitely a bit of a tease. It's been interesting to watch the 60 to 80 year olds play all day and we can't be out there.

"The handicap I play off - I think I need a bit more than that at the moment. I haven't been playing enough lately.

"We love golf at the club. Every footy club probably does but we value a round. That's another good bonding opportunity - spending five hours with some coaches or players."

O'Keefe, who coached Blues young gun Sam Walsh at Geelong Falcons, said the Cobden product was working to improve his leadership.

"He can go further, and I think that's the exciting thing. I think everyone can at 20 years old," he said.

"He's part of the leadership group this season and he's working to get even better in that field. We have some great leaders here in Sam Docherty and Patty Cripps.

"On the field, I think he's just learning to play different roles. He's getting a bit more midfield time, he's playing half-forward too."

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