McVeigh will play for Bendigo against the Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields tomorrow following his club-imposed suspension.

McVeigh missed a training session on Monday, after he had been out socialising with ex-teammate Dean Solomon on Sunday night, and was subsequently suspended, keeping him out of last night’s Essendon versus Collingwood blockbuster at the MCG.

“I want to see Mark McVeigh’s leadership qualities that we all know he’s got,’’ Hickmott told www.essendonfc.com.au yesterday.

“We’re all human, and we sometimes let our guard down, and he has done that, but we expect him to uphold the core values of the game and the club.

“He’ll be good helping out our young midfield at Bendigo as well as Tom Bellchambers in the ruck.

“I need him to encourage the younger guys to communicate and perform well.’’

McVeigh has already played one game for Bendigo this year, lining up against the Coburg Tigers in round seven in his return from an ankle injury.

The 28-year-old, who has been named in the centre for Bendigo, has played 180 games for Essendon.

McVeigh is among 12 Essendon-listed players who have been selected in the starting 18 for Bendigo.

Bendigo heads into tomorrow’s round 12 clash as the only side in the competition still to win a game.

In what was their first game in 20 days, the Bombers last week went down to Frankston by 23 points, having led by 22 points at half-time.

The result extended what is the Bombers’ longest losing streak in their history to 15 games, dating back to round 15, last year.

Out of the side from last week are Bendigo-listed players Josh Bowe (back) and Joel Malone (Achilles).

Casey, which sits in seventh position on the ladder, last week lost to second-placed Williamstown by four points at Burbank Oval.

The Scorpions - who are aligned to Melbourne - capitulated in the final term.

Casey had led by 35 points at three quarter-time, but Williamstown kicked 7.4 to 1.1 in the final term to register a memorable win.

The Bombers, who have an overall 6-3 record against Casey, have lost their past two games to the Scorpions by margins of 29 and 41 points.

Tomorrow’s game at Casey Fields starts at 2pm, following the reserves clash at 11.10am.

The Bendigo Bombers’ longest losing streaks:

15 games: round 15, 2008 - 8 games: round 2, 2003, to round 10, 2003.

6 games: preliminary final, 2005, to round 5, 2006.

5 games: round 16, 2005, to qualifying final, 2005.