Adam Simpson and his match committee have backed in the players to reverse the form they showed last week when they play Sydney in a clutch game at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

After the disappointment of a 55-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last week, the club’s coaches and players have been based in Melbourne since Tuesday night and they are committed to rebounding.

While exciting forward Liam Ryan was unavailable because of suspension, the only omission was the medical sub who was not utilised in the Bulldogs defeat – defender Jackson Nelson.

Jamaine Jones has been named as the replacement for Ryan, selected in the forward pocket, while ruckman Nathan Vardy, defenders Alex Witherden and Luke Foley and forward Zac Langdon have been named on an extended bench.

Not surprisingly, the star-studded midfield has been supported to get the job done.

Externally, the focus has been on the engine room, but internally it has been about the collective and there is a resolve to atone as the Eagles strive to beat a team sitting above them on the ladder.

“Some guys really put their hand up last week and a lot of guys didn’t,” Simpson said today. “We had a really good training session today, a lot of guys put their hands up so it will be a serious match committee discussion this afternoon

“We had a full complement of mids last week, which was probably the first time in 12 months they have played together and their colours were lowered.

“A lot of those guys are experienced players who we expect more from, so I wouldn’t have thought we would jump to too many conclusions too quickly, but expectations are we play better this week.

“All of us were disappointing on the weekend, we are not isolating the midfield. Across the board we were out-played for most of the day and were lucky to be thereabouts in the middle of the third quarter.

“While there are no excuses from the weekend we are not going to get the best out of Luke Shuey in the first week in 10 weeks. (Geelong’s Patrick) Dangerfield is still working towards his best form as well. Guys coming back long-term injuries, it takes a little bit of time.

“We want to get better this week, that’s for sure.”

The Eagles will trim the bench back to four emergencies, with four others missing selection tomorrow afternoon.