Essendon coach Matthew Knights on Tuesday mounted a strong defence of star utility Nathan Lovett-Murray, who has accepted a three-match ban for rough play.

The Bombers decided to play safe and take the sanction rather than fight it at the AFL Tribunal and risk a four-match stretch.

Lovett-Murray was booked after a hard hit on Richmond's Kayne Pettifer during the Dreamtime match at the MCG on Saturday night.

Knights said his loss would be a severe blow for the Bombers as they prepare to meet unbeaten Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"Obviously it's a bit disappointing because Nathan's been in really good touch," Knight said.

"Both offensively and defensively he's been providing us with a fair bit of impetus so he's certainly going to be a big loss for us.

"But we've just got to make sure we can cover his loss because he has been in good form."

He said he had not felt the need to counsel the eye-catching ball-winner over his style of play.

"No I didn't. I speak to all our group about playing with controlled aggression and I think Nathan has been playing that way," Knights said.

"He's been playing aggressively but he's been very controlled. He's been flying for his marks.

"He's been playing some consistent football. I haven't sat down and had a conversation with him but he'd be as disappointed as anyone that he's going to miss three weeks.

"He loves the game and to go out and sit on the sidelines for a long period, including the mid-season break, it's going to be a long stint on the sidelines so I just feel for Nathan a little bit."

Essendon will now cast their eyes over the experienced duo Mark McVeigh and Hayden Skipworth for inclusion after losing Lovett-Murray who has accepted a three-match suspension and the expected absence of injured defender Courtenay Dempsey.

"McVeigh and Skipworth both got through (last weekend's VFL) game really well and more importantly both were doing some running yesterday and were feeling free and pain-free," Knights said.

"Both those guys who are fairly mature in age and body are right in the mix.

"Whoever comes in is going to have to shape up and have a really good impact straight away, because we need them to."

Meanwhile, forward Scott Lucas continues to try to force his way back into the senior side from the VFL, where Knights said he was showing glimpses of a return to form - but not enough to warrant a promotion.

"I'm open-minded about Scott that when he gets into that form that we're happy with that his opportunity will come, but it won't be this week," he said.

"It would be very difficult for Scott at the moment to keep coming up, but he is, his attitude is great, he trains hard, but I can understand that he is going through a tough period.

"He wants to play AFL footy, he's disappointed, but handling it really well and doing everything in his powers to get back in."

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