Speaking to media today, Matthew Knights said he was disappointed that McVeigh was out socialising on Sunday and failed to attend a training session on Monday.
The 28-year-old will play in the VFL this weekend.
“Mark will not come back into the team this week. Mark was out socialising on Sunday and missed a training session on Monday,” Knights said.
“His preparation has been hindered for this Friday night’s game, so Mark will be playing in the VFL and regain some form and fitness there and will be not come into the seniors this week.
“It is very disappointing, Mark is a quality player and this year he has taken a while to get going because of injury but last year he was sensational for the Essendon Football Club.
“It’s disappointing not to be able to bring him into the line up but that is the way it goes, we have 46 players on our list and they can all play. I’m not fussed who is out there because I know they will do the club proud.
“Mark is really disappointed with it all, but in saying that, he made a choice and he chose his path and as I said he missed a training session which is important to Friday night’s build up.”
To watch the Knights media conference on Bomber.tv click here
Knights said McVeigh would be available for selection the following week.
“We consulted with the leadership group on the decision and we discussed it in terms of a football club and decided it was the way to go,” he said.
“It is just for one match but it’s vital we do this, doesn’t matter if you are a first or second year player or a champion of the club - if you’re not going to get the club trademark right, that professionalism right to prepare yourself to play, then we are not going to pull any punches from anyone.""
Knights admitted there is still an injury cloud over Adam McPhee (leg) and that Michael Hurley is not too far away either.
“Adam has to train well today, I spoke him a little while ago, and I said to him that he will have to train full throttle to be put up for selection. So, there is still a big question mark over Adam at this stage,” he said.
“We are keen to give Hurley a chance at some stage, but he needs to earn it, we have Pears and Fletcher down there at the moment, so we will just have to be mindful and will look at the conditions for Friday evening.
“He is certainly going in the right direction Michael, it has been a bit frustrating for him, and he hasn’t played a lot of footy this year because of injuries.
“We are certainly looking at him closely as well as David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Jay Nash and Tyson Slattery. Those guys are all working hard to push up and will potentially come into the mix in the next few weeks.”
