Newly appointed captains Dyson Heppell and Jarryd Roughead have a lot in common.

Both originating from the small, Victorian country town Leongatha, they endured undoubtedly the toughest years of their respective careers in 2016, and they’re both the 2016 captains of their respective football clubs.

This Saturday night the pair, superstars of the competition, will lead their sides out for the first time as they look to resume their football lives.

Heppell, who missed all of last season due to the Essendon doping ban, will be hoping to help Essendon return to finals for the first time since 2014.

While Roughead, who sat out the 2016 season as he recovered from cancer treatment, will also have serious finals aspirations for his Hawks.

Watch: Roughy and Hep return to Leongatha

Speaking at last week's AFL Captains Day, Heppell said he couldn't wait to kick start this next phase of his career.

"Its huge," Heppell said.

"That excitement is going to build over this week and hopefully we get 80-odd thousand Essendon fans rocking up at the MCG on the Saturday night.

"Obviously with big "Rough" being a Leongatha boy as well, it will be very exciting for the two of us".

Roughead, six years older than Heppell, acknowledged that it was a special moment for his hometown.

"I think it just adds to the storyline of what is already a big round one," Roughead said.

“Two kids from a small town like that to be in the middle of the ‘G flipping a coin, it will be pretty cool.

"The town and families will be proud".

Roughead participated in all three of the Hawks JLT Community Series games, while Heppell had two runs for the Bombers.

Neither player showed any sign of rustiness as they reacquainted themselves with the level, with Heppell averaging a tick over 20 touches per game while Roughead averaged 19 disposals per game.

Read: Hawthorn's season preview