Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has told his players to go home and look after their families while the AFL goes on break during the coronavirus pandemic.

The AFL season has been postponed until at least June, but the break could end up stretching out for longer.

It means Melbourne’s 27-point loss to West Coast in their season opener on Sunday was the last AFL game for at least 10 weeks.

AFL players across the country will now return home to be with family.

“We would like to get our players back into their family lives for a period of time,” Goodwin said.

“We’re not sure how long that will be. Football is secondary.

“I am sure our high performance team and medical team will come up with an appropriate program for those guys who are away – whether indoors or outdoors.

“But we know that have to have a break from the club and family is the priority right now.

“Our parents’ health and our health are important as anything, so we’ll play our part.”

Goodwin agrees with the AFL’s decision to temporarily close up shop, saying players have the ability to show Australians how to protect each other by practising social distancing.

“It’s a lot bigger than footy, so we need to be role models in this area, help the community to get this virus in check and then we can reassess how things look for the footy industry,” Goodwin said.

“But our primary role is to be a part of the community that does what they do and helps and makes it better.”

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn said some players were nervous about the flight to Perth on Saturday.

“Don’t underestimate the risk that the travel had on a lot of players,” Gawn said.

“Everyone put their hands up and wanted to play. That’s young, millennial footballers.

“But this is a really risky thing that we’ve decided to come out and do and the stress that would have caused family with young kids at home.”

Gawn said despite the AFL going on hold, his mindset was still firmly set on helping the Demons achieve success this year.

“This initial bit will be around family, but me personally, I’m still in football 2020 mode,” Gawn said.

“I don’t know when that’s going to be. When football is going to be, but me personally I’m training for the next game.

“I don’t know if I’m allowed outdoors, if I’m on the treadmill inside, but that’s where my head is at the moment.”