Jarryd Roughead will make his long-awaited return to the AFL stage this Saturday night against the Bombers.

Roughead hasn’t played a senior game of football since the 2015 AFL grand final, with his return certain to bring a smile to Hawthorn and football fans alike.

There will also be four new faces pulling on the brown and gold in Hawthorn’s season opener, with recruits Jaeger O’Meara, Tom Mitchell, Ricky Henderson and Ty Vickery all named in the 22-man team.

Despite fielding four club debutants, the Hawks will have opted for experience in their Round 1 clash.

“It’s really exciting to come into Round 1 with our list really healthy,” GM– Football Operations Jason Burt said.

“As a result selection has been difficult this week, but that’s probably the best headache a senior coach and his match committee can have.

“Saying to younger guys like Kade Stewart, Ryan Burton and Teia Miles that they won’t be playing this week is difficult given they’ve each had really good JLT campaigns.

“We know that those guys will keep working hard and their opportunities will come.

“Certainly for Roughy, Jaeger, Tom, Ricky and Ty, it’s a great moment.

“Rough’s return really is a fantastic story and we hope all the Hawks fans get out on Saturday night to support him.”

Read: Match preview

ROUND 1 TEAM

Essendon v Hawthorn

MCG

Saturday 25 March, 7.25pm



B: Taylor Duryea, James Frawley, Ben Stratton

HB: Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne

C: Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Ricky Henderson

HF: Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jack Gunston

F: Ty Vickery, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo

R: Ben McEvoy, Jaeger O’Meara, Cyril Rioli

INT: James Sicily, Liam Shiels, Will Langford, Billy Hartung

EMER: Kade Stewart, Ryan Burton, Teia Miles