Essendon VFL will have the added experience of veteran Paul Chapman this weekend.

The 33-year-old has not played since injuring his groin against West Coast in round 11.

With such a long period out of the game, Coach James Hird said it was important Chapman build's up some match fitness before returning to the senior side.

“I don’t think that any player in this day and age could walk back into the side having played no football for such a long period,” Hird said.

“The game is so hard that if you haven’t played for six to seven weeks that you need to really get some match fitness to come back into the team.”

Chapman has not played VFL since returning from injury in 2013 with Hird acknowledging that it will be challenging for the forward to return through the reserves.

“No doubt it would be difficult for a three time premiership player, a Norm Smith medalist and a terrific player to go back and play reserves,” Hird said.

“He hasn’t played for six weeks and it’s important that he goes and has a run and gets some match fitness in the reserves and then performs well and puts himself up for selection.”

Chapman will be joined by other veterans in Adam Cooney and Heath Hocking in the Essendon VFL clash against Geelong this Saturday afternoon.

Despite the focus on youth in recent weeks, Hird isn’t putting a line through any experience players.

“The people that play well will get games.

“We’re prioritising the future, but also understand whether it’s Chapman, Cooney, Fletcher if they’re playing well then they deserve a game.”

You can catch all the Essendon VFL action as it happens on Saturday afternoon right here with our VFL Radio.