Essendon coach Matthew Knights says he needs to ensure Mark McVeigh's disappointment over missing Friday night's bumper AFL clash with Carlton does not affect his form.

The experienced midfielder, who has played just four games this year because of injury, has been suspended for the match for his undisciplined hit on Melbourne's Jared Rivers last Friday night.

McVeigh has admitted he let his teammates and the club's supporters down in the incident, which came with the Bombers in an unbeatable position close to three-quarter time.

Knights said there had been no need for him to berate the player further and he was more conscious of trying to lift his spirits.

"Mark's a passionate young man, he's very tribal, I know he loves big clashes against Carlton and Collingwood and teams like that, so he's a hugely disappointed young man at the moment," Knights said.

"Particularly because he hasn't played a lot this season because of injury, he's missed a lot of football, he feels pretty low.

"It's my responsibility to make sure we pick him up and get him going again, because the season is a marathon and there's a long journey to go and he's still a very important player for us for the rest of the year."

McVeigh was the only player suspended from incidents in weekend matches.

Geelong's Cameron Ling and Fremantle's Antoni Grover both accepted reprimands over lower grade striking charges.

The Dockers' Matthew De Boer will play a $1,950 fine for negligently making contact with an umpire, meaning the tribunal will not sit on Tuesday night.

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