Essendon will use its visit to The Shrine of Rememberance and a talk from club champion Jack Jones for inspiration ahead of tomorrow's ANZAC Day clash, assistant coach Alan Richardson said today.
The former Collingwood player and development coach also said that a decision on whether Mark McVeigh will play tomorrow would be made this afternoon after he felt pain in his ankle following Sunday's loss to North Melbourne.
""Last week was his first week back and he pulled up a litle sore so we'll give him every opportuntiy today (to play) since it's such an important game and he is such an important player. He desperately wants to play,"" Richardson said.
""He won't train today, he is very experienced and doesn't need to train today. It will be a matter of how he feels together with how the medical staff think he has responded"".
Richardson played against fellow assistant coach, Gary O'Donnell and Dustin Fletcher in the drawn inaugural ANZAC Day clash in 1995.
He admitted he would be passing on his intricate knowledge of Collingwood's players to help the young Bombers tomorrow.
""There is no doubt I will be a resouce to our players on who they will play on - when you have been involved with another club you can probably give more than you normally would,"" he said.
A group of Essendon players and staff visited The Shrine of Rememberance yesterday and recieved a talk from three-time premiership player, Jack Jones, about serving in Papua New Guinea as a 19-year-old.
""The way Jack spoke was incredibly touching and emotional and I don't think that message will be lost on the players."" Richardson said.
To see football operations manager Paul Hamilton speak to the media before the team visit to The Shrine and watch Jack Jones address the playing group click here
For those fans attending the game tomorrow, visit the only 'Bomber Shop' booth inside Gate 4, Level 1, MCG.
