Essendon coach John Worsfold has named six previously banned Bombers for a round one AFL blockbuster against a Hawthorn side led by the returning Jarryd Roughead.
Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Brent Stanton will all line up against the Hawks at the MCG on Saturday night, along with No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath.
But in a sign Worsfold is also looking to the future, there was no room for Ben Howlett, Heath Hocking or Tom Bellchambers, while David Myers (finger) was unavailable.
"They've prepared well, they're going to be nervous but that's a big part of what's exciting about playing AFL footy and playing in big games," Worsfold said of the returning Bombers.
"This is a massive game for the Essendon football club. It's a big game for Hawthorn - it means a lot to them. It's going to be a cracker of a game."
Of the 34 past and present Bombers banned for all of last year over the club's 2012 supplements program, 16 remain on AFL lists.
Former Bombers Jake Carlisle and Jake Melksham will debut for St Kilda and Melbourne respectively, while Port Adelaide's Paddy Ryder and Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri are also set to return.
Melbourne's Michael Hibberd (achilles) and Port's Angus Monfries were not considered for selection.
In other selection news, Hawthorn skipper Roughead will play his first regular season game since being declared cancer-free, alongside star recruits Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery.
Western Bulldogs spearhead Travis Cloke, West Coast's Sam Mitchell and Drew Petrie and Melbourne's Jordan Lewis will all play in their new colours for the first time, as will St Kilda's Nathan Brown and Jack Steele.
The reigning premier Bulldogs will welcome back skipper Bob Murphy and Matt Suckling against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night but Clay Smith, who starred in their finals campaign, was a shock omission alongside Josh Dunkley.
New Magpies forward Chris Mayne also missed out on selection but Melbourne's Jack Watts has been spared the axe for the Demons' clash with St Kilda.
There will be no shortage of AFL debutants, with North Melbourne (four), Port Adelaide (three), Melbourne and Gold Coast (two each) leading the charge.
Adelaide stars Rory Sloane (fractured eye socket) and Taylor Walker (hamstring) have been named in an extended squad for Sunday's clash with GWS, while Fremantle will welcome back 2015 Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe when they host Geelong.
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