McVeigh didn’t train with his team at Windy Hill on Friday morning, the light run used as a final tune-up for Saturday’s blockbuster against the Pies.
Assistant coach Alan Richardson, who was formerly with Collingwood and played in the inaugural Anzac Day match, said McVeigh was yet to be ruled out.
“There’s no doubt that he’s pulled up a little bit sore from last weekend’s game,” Richardson said before training.
“Last weekend was his first week back from the ankle injury and he’s been a little bit sore, so we’ll give him every opportunity today given it’s such an important game and he’s such an important player.
“He won’t train … it’ll be a matter of how he feels in conjunction with the medical staff, how they think he’s responded,” he said.
“He’s done a bit of work away from main sessions in terms of getting himself right, so it’ll be a late call this afternoon between him and the coach and the medical staff.”
Collingwood also has injury concerns. The Magpies also trained on Friday morning, with most eyes on a key trio whom Richardson said the Bombers were expecting to play.
“As far as we’re concerned we think [Paul] Medhurst, [Anthony] Rocca and [Alan] Didak will play,” he said.
“So we’re certainly planning for them; we’re planning for their best group.”
Despite the likelihood of inclement weather, another huge crowd is expected on Saturday.
Richardson said exposing the young Essendon list to such conditions would be “enormous” for the club’s new baby Bombers – and he expected them to pass this week’s assignment.
“I think that in terms of preparing teams to play in front of big crowds, and that’s what finals are about, you just can’t buy these sorts of opportunities,” he said.
“I think that two weeks ago, against a pretty traditional foe in the Blues, we were just sensational.
“At quarter time things could have quite easily fallen off but that wasn’t the case; the boys were able to dig deep on a big stage, in front of a big crowd and we’d be expecting nothing less tomorrow.”
During his time as a player development manager at the Lexus Centre, Richardson was credited with helping fast-track many of Collingwood’s young stars.
Now, having crossed to the other side, he admits it is a somewhat strange feeling.
“It’s interesting just looking at the first Anzac game, the drawn game in which I played, Gary O’Donnell was in their team and I’m now coaching with him, Dustin Fletcher played and I’m now coaching him … it’s interesting,” he said.
