Mark McVeigh is determined to let his performance do the talking if he is selected in the senior line-up to play Sydney this Saturday afternoon at the SCG.

When asked about his plans to make amends for two indiscretions over the past fortnight, McVeigh preferred not to comment, saying it is now all about actions.

The experienced midfielder missed Essendon’s last two games with a one-match suspension for striking Melbourne’s Jared Rivers and a one-match club-sanctioned suspension for missing training.

Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said the 28-year-old would be determined to regain the respect from his teammates by delivering a solid performance this weekend.

“Mark is really looking forward to getting out and playing some good football and repaying the faith his teammates have put in him,” Hamilton said.

“He understands that he took a couple of steps back last week and now he needs to take some steps forward.

“The thing with Mark is that he has terrific character. He is very passionate and he likes to do well and this is probably his first hiccup in ten years.
 
""He understands that what he did is the wrong thing by the team and he also understands what he has to do is make it up by his actions.
 
“He is looking to set it all straight with some good performances on the training track and then in the game if he plays.”
 
Hamilton said McVeigh will be a big inclusion for the side if he is to make the trip north.
 
“Mark was just coming back into some good form because he has been out injured for much of the year,” Hamilton said.
 
“He is a very important piece of the puzzle if we are to have a good second half of the year.
 
“Playing a formidable side like Sydney is going to be a big challenge. It is a terrific challenge for us but here is an opportunity for us to go away and bond well together and perform well and then get on the plane and head straight home.”