JOHN Worsfold has defended Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett, saying the star midfielder wasn't alone in having a poor game against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Essendon legends Tim Watson and Matthew Lloyd were among the critics of Merrett's performance against the Giants, questioning the 23-year-old's effort and intensity early in the 72-point defeat.

Merrett suffered an ankle injury in the pre-season but Worsfold confirmed the All Australian and Essendon best and fairest winner was fit.

"Zach had a poor game, I think. He didn't really impact in anywhere near the level that we know he can," Worsfold said on Tuesday.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

"In fairness to Zach, I think if you extended out any period of play you would see several other players also not playing with the intensity that we needed to play at. That was across the board.

"Whether it's Zach, as our vice-captain, Dyson [Heppell], or our younger players, there's plenty of examples there across the board where we didn't put the effort in that's required at this level."

Merrett gathered only 16 disposals in the game, well down on his season average of 28 possessions last year.

Essendon will have its review of the listless loss after its training session on Tuesday, with Worsfold hoping to gauge answers from the players about the dismal start.

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

"The players are well and truly aware they didn't play up to the standards they'd like to. I will tell them that, I'll state the obvious for them, but specifically I'll be expecting them to be really clear why it was lacking and what they need to do to bring the footy we want to play," he said.

The coach said he had seen signs the Bombers were not tracking as he had hoped during the JLT Community Series, but had expected them not to follow through to the home and away season.

The Bombers have reviewed their preparation for round one after their final pre-season clash, a 16-day break, but said the players had failed to bring the "excitement" of the week into the contest against the Giants.

"They're just disappointed. They're disappointed in themselves and us as a group in what we dished up," Worsfold said.

FREE AGENTS LIST Who is in this year's pool?

Essendon's performance has put the Bombers in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons to begin the year, but Worsfold said he hadn't directed his players to avoid the media attention.

"Some might thrive on it and might like a kick in the backside to get up and going and prove people wrong, and others might go into their shell," he said.

"We educate them around being able to prepare best and perform at their best. They should know what that is.

"Most of the time they're grown men – they didn't really show that the other day – they are able to make those decisions for themselves."

Heppell on Monday said some tweaks to Essendon's game plan over summer – they have hired former Adelaide defender and Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten to steer their team defence – could take some time to jell, but Worsfold expects a response against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

He said Darcy Parish, who missed selection last week due to Essendon's midfield squeeze but booted five goals in a VFL practice game, would be in the mix to play, with Zac Clarke, Dylan Clarke, Kobe Mutch and Jayden Laverde also a chance to come in.