The changes

Season 2017 kicks off this Saturday night with a blockbuster clash against one of the club’s greatest rivals, the Essendon Bombers.

Essendon will host the game at the MCG, in what will be a momentous night for their club as they welcome back six of their 10 senior players from their one year ban handed down by ASADA.

These players include the likes of Jobe Watson, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Dyson Heppell, with the latter set to captain the club for the first time this year.

Naturally, this will create a massive boost in the expectations for Essendon this season, as they look to rebound from their first wooden spoon win since 1933.

The Bombers also picked up former Sandringham Dragon Andrew McGrath with the first pick in the 2016 National Draft. McGrath, a dashing defender, has shown promising signs throughout the JLT Community Series and looks set to have an impact in his debut season.

What to expect

Fans should expect a game of high emotion as both sides will have been counting down to this day all summer.

For the Bombers, this game represents a new beginning as they put the scandals that tainted the club for almost four years behind them, and strive for a successful season with a strengthened list.

Despite losing all three of their JLT Series games, the Bombers showed signs of what they may be capable of.

A hard-running, high-skill game-style, Essendon has looked especially dangerous when entering its forward-line with an extremely potent mix of goalkickers and defensive pressure.

One benefit Essendon did enjoy from their tumultuous season last year was the ability to blood several youngsters and instill them with some experience, which they may not have otherwise been afforded.

Highly talented draftees Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis lived up to their top ten draft rankings, while the discovery of the lesser known Michael Hartley and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti provided another massive bonus.

Read: Hawthorn name Round 1 team

Players to watch

Over the last four games that Jobe Watson has suited up against the Hawks, he has averaged 29.5 disposals a game, consistently creating a headache for the Hawthorn coaching staff on how to quell the big-bodied midfielder’s influence.

Look also for young superstars Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher to take their games to another level this year as they enjoy the support of having the returning senior bodies around them. Merrett, the winner of Essendon’s 2016 Best and Fairest, and Daniher, the Bombers’ leading goalkicker in each of the last three years, are stars of the competition who will only continue to improve this year.