Essendon head into the first game of 2017 with up to half a team of players who've been out of the game for a year. How do they fit in to the new Bombers order? We take a look on a case-by-case basis.
There will be a mix of the old and the new for Essendon in their captivating round one clash against Hawthorn with No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath joining six previously banned Bombers in the line-up.
Essendon captain Dyson Heppell says the Bombers must guard against lingering jealousy as returning players face a fight for spots in the best 22.
Bombers deny calling in enforcer Mick Gatto as police investigate allegations ex-player Dean Wallis made demanding calls to senior club and AFL officials.
David Zaharakis has bemoaned attacks directed at James Hird,suggesting that anyone who has chosen to"barrage"Hird in relation to the Essendon supplements saga in recent times is"just not a good person".
A push to hold a Senate inquiry into how the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL conducted an investigation into the Essendon supplements saga appears dead.
AFL boss says"nothing new"in expletive-laden recording of Essendon leaders accusing league of recanting on promise not to punish players for doping.
Melbourne lawyer Jackson Taylor has lodged a writ against outgoing AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and chief executive Gillon McLachlan,alleging acts of deceptive or misleading conduct during Essendon's supplements saga.
Essendon star Brendon Goddard and James Hird's former advisor have taken a swipe at Mike Fitzpatrick on a day the departing AFL chairman said he had no regrets over how the league had handled the Bombers'supplements scandal.
An Essendon fan whose work revolves around football was asked in passing conversation during the week how he thought the Bombers would fare in 2017."They'll finish somewhere between 2nd and 16th,"he said.
Stewart Crameri feels a strange mix,rusty but fresh,as he returns from his season supplements suspension to join the Bulldogs premiership defence.