WEST Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff has backed teammate Sharrod Wellingham to rebound quickly after an uncharacteristically poor kicking display against Melbourne last Saturday.
Wellingham produced some startling turnovers in defence against the Demons, one from a kick out that cost the Eagles a goal right on three-quarter time.
Coach Adam Simpson marched straight to Wellingham at three-quarter time and gave him a spray.
He copped a heavy cork in the second term that clearly affected him throughout the match, and Simpson said he hoped that was the reason why he "butchered the ball" so much.
Gaff said the Eagles backed Wellingham in to be bold with the ball in hand and was not concerned by his off day.
"He's one of our bravest ball users, and he tries to do kicks that probably some guys wouldn't do," Gaff said.
"But most of the time they come off and look great. Then there's days on the weekend when they don't come off and it probably doesn't look as good.
"We feel he had some really good contests in that last quarter and made amends. It's not always going to be your day.
"When you're playing in the backline and turn a couple over it's highlighted a little bit more because it's normally in front of goal, where Melbourne kicked a couple of goals.
"But we know he's going to work pretty hard during the week and make amends, just like we all do when we have a couple of bad weeks."
Wellingham walked laps at a light skills and recovery session at Domain Stadium on Monday. Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras and Josh Hill all walked with him before leaving the track early.
Jack Redden trained indoors and only walked out to speak briefly with the coaching staff. Jeremy McGovern did not appear at all, but he often misses Monday recovery sessions.
Nic Naitanui trained fully and is in the frame to return against Collingwood on Saturday afternoon.
Gaff said the Eagles' match committee would make a decision on Naitanui later in the week.
"It's 50-50 and a coach's call as to whether he plays this week or next week," Gaff said.
"He's been flying around in a few of the drills we've been doing last week, so whenever he's ready we know he'll be fit and firing.
"We know how much of an integral part he is to our team, and how important he is, so we want to make sure his body is ready, and he's got several good performances in him."
Dom Sheed trained on Monday and Gaff said he would be in the mix to make a return after stringing together four matches in the WAFL coming back from pec and knee injuries.
Sheed could add some grunt in the midfield, as Gaff said the Eagles needed a more even contribution across the board.
