A night on the town has cost senior midfielder Mark McVeigh the opportunity to return to the Essendon line-up for Friday night's blockbuster against Collingwood.
McVeigh has been suspended by the club for one match for failing to attend a compulsory training session on Monday morning.
The 28-year-old, who missed last Friday night's big win over Carlton because of a one-match suspension for striking Melbourne defender Jared Rivers, would have been the ideal replacement for onballer Jobe Watson who's set to miss up to two matches with ankle ligament damage.
Senior coach Matthew Knights said the Bombers' leadership group fully endorsed McVeigh's suspension.
"Mark was out socialising on Sunday and missed a training session on Monday," Knights said at Windy Hill on Tuesday morning.
"His preparation has been hindered for this Friday night's game so Mark will be playing in the VFL and regaining some form and fitness there."
"It is disappointing not be able to bring him into the line-up ... but it's one of those things that we've got to work through."
"Obviously Mark's pretty disappointed with it all but he made a choice, he chose a path and we just get on with it now."
"If you're not going to get the trademark right, if you're not going to get that professionalism right to prepare yourself to play, we're not going to pull any punches with anyone."
Knights said Adam McPhee, who missed the Carlton clash with a calf injury, would need to train 'at full throttle' on Tuesday to be considered for selection.
"There's probably a question mark at this stage with Adam and we won't be playing him unless he's 100 percent fit," said Knights.
