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West Coast's underdone midfield group were crushed by the Western Bulldogs last week but coach Adam Simpson is confident they'll bounce back against Sydney.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson is keeping faith in his underdone midfield group as the AFL club attempts to end a 15-year hoodoo this Sunday.

The Eagles will attempt to win at GMHBA Stadium for the first time since 2006 when they front up against Sydney on neutral territory.

West Coast's star-studded midfield unit of Tim Kelly, Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed and Jack Redden were obliterated by the Western Bulldogs last week.

The Eagles lost the clearance battle 44-29 despite the ruck dominance of Nic Naitanui, and the Bulldogs also dominated the contested possession count (151-121) and inside 50s (60-38) on the way to a 55-point win.

Shuey and Kelly were playing their first matches back from injury, while Yeo is still building up match fitness after nine months of the sidelines battling osteitis pubis.

Simpson is confident the midfield group will bounce back against the Swans.

"A lot of those guys are experienced players and we expect more from them," Simpson said.

"I wouldn't have thought we'd jump to too many conclusions too quickly, but our expectation is they'll play better this week.

"There's no excuses on the weekend.

"But at the same time we're not going to get the best out of Luke Shuey in his first game in 10 weeks.

"(Geelong star Patrick) Dangerfield is still working towards his best form as well.

"Both have come back from long-term injuries, and it takes a little bit of time.

"As a collective, we should have a really good midfield for weeks to come if they all stay fit and healthy.

"The actions (this Sunday) need to be the evidence, not the discussion."

West Coast have lost their past seven matches at GMHBA Stadium by an average of 65 points.

That included a humiliating 97-point loss to Geelong in round six.

Simpson played down talk the Eagles would be nursing mental scars from that drubbing.

"Mental scars - it's a pretty strong comment," Simpson said.

"We've struggled (there) in the past. We might be playing there this week, next week, the week after - who knows.

"Opportunity is all we're looking at it as, and we're looking forward to it."

Forwards Zac Langdon and Jamaine Jones are the leading contenders to replace the suspended Liam Ryan.

West Coast were forced to scramble to Victoria on Tuesday after Perth and the Peel region went into lockdown.

If the lockdown extends, the Eagles are likely to stay longer in Melbourne.

Simpson said the lessons learned from last year's extended time away from home would help his side cope this time around.

"It feels as though we're back on the bike a little bit," Simpson said.