Best 22 - round one

B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Adam Saad

HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna

C: David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell, Andrew McGrath

HF: Jake Stringer, Joe Daniher, Darcy Parish

F: James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

R: Tom Bellchambers, Zach Merrett, Devon Smith

I/C: Patrick Ambrose, David Myers, Josh Green, Ben McNiece

Emerg: Matthew Leuenberger, Matt Dea, Josh Begley, Jake Long

2017 best and fairest top three

1. Joe Daniher

2. Brendon Goddard

3. Dyson Heppell

Fans' season preview: Essendon

Injury list

The Bombers' biggest concern is Orazio Fantasia, who had knee surgery last week and will miss at least round one with the nagging problem. He could be out another week or two as well depending on how he recovers. A serious ankle injury to Martin Gleeson last week against the Cats was also a severe blow, with the improved half-back to miss around four months. Travis Colyer has already been ruled out until at least round five or six with a foot injury, while Jayden Laverde will also miss the early couple of rounds with his hamstring strain.

The big questions

Is their midfield big enough?

The Bombers got bullied in last year's final loss to Sydney, and are relying on a number of smaller guns to take it to some bigger on-ballers across the year. Time will tell if they can manage or need to acquire a big extractor to help out at the end of the season.

Will Kyle Langford or Jayden Laverde step up to make a spot their own?

Both players are entering their fourth season at the club after being top-20 picks at the end of 2014. Laverde will have a later start after his hamstring injury, while Langford will be eyeing a midfield role after training there throughout the summer.

Will the Bombers who emerged last season be able to back it up?

Conor McKenna, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti were among the young Bombers to have career-best seasons last year and establish themselves in the competition. Their progress is vital to Essendon's chances of continuing up the ladder, so more responsibility will be heaped upon them in 2018. They need to be able to handle it.

Conor McKenna signed a long-term deal with the Bombers late in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos



Look for…

Clearly all eyes will be on Jake Stringer in his first season at the club after a tumultuous end to his career at the Western Bulldogs. Essendon has spoken openly about wanting to play Stringer in the midfield as well as closer to goal, so it will be fascinating to see if he's capable of having a good balance between both facets. Stringer might have shaved off his bleached haircut we saw in the opening round of the JLT Community Series, but he will still be watched closely.

Who they play

The Bombers have some early challenges – they face Grand Finalists Adelaide in round one before facing a trip to Perth in round two – but overall have a good draw. They play only one top-six side from last year twice (Richmond) and their voyage to Western Australia for the Dockers clash is the only time in the first nine rounds they leave Victoria, which could set them up for a strong start.

Fantasy cash cow

Jake Long (MID, $233,000) could be one to watch. The son of club legend Michael has been on the fringes of Essendon's best side the past few years but has improved and would be worth a bench spot if he can break into the side.

Sudden impact

The Bombers will get plenty out of recruit Devon Smith in the midfield, and he will be keen to play as much around the ball as he can after struggling for midfield time at GWS. Adam Saad, another of the Bombers' three headline pick-ups, should be consistent off half-back, while Stringer is the most uncertain. If he fires he could turn Essendon into the most dangerous team in the competition.

The Bombers can expect Devon Smith to help lighten their midfield load. Picture: AFL Photos



It's crunch time for…

Matthew Leuenberger. The ruckman is into the third and final season of his contract at Essendon since crossing from the Lions, and will be keen to get back his place as the Bombers' No.1 big man. He lost that mantle in the middle of last season and wasn't able to regain it, playing just one senior game after round nine.

Pressure rating on the coach

The temperature is cool, but could rise quickly. Worsfold is out of contract at the end of the season, and although an extension is expected to be formalised soon, there has been no progress in recent weeks. If the Bombers don't make the finals this year then the focus will turn more sharply to Worsfold.

The 2017 habit the Bombers must kick…

Losing to sides they should beat. Defeats to Carlton early in the season last year, and then a shocking loss to Brisbane in round 15, meant the Bombers made the task of making the finals tougher than it should have been.

The Bombers will have a good year if…

They can find a way to stop leaking goals. They have worked on their defence over summer and it must lift from last year, when they conceded on average 92 points a week.

They're in trouble if…

Joe Daniher goes down with injury. The Bombers' leading goalkicker and spearhead is irreplaceable in Essendon's forward set-up and his fitness and form is paramount to their success.

Pass mark

Essendon has to win a final this year, at the very least. It hasn't done that since 2004, which gives it has the longest drought of any club in the competition. The Bombers will want to go further than just one win, but they need to get that far after losing their last four elimination finals all in disastrous fashion.

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 8th

Player Ratings star

Zach Merrett, 20th. Essendon's highest ranked player maintained his place as the leading Bomber after another elite year in the midfield.