Essendon has named its first side for season 2024 to face Fremantle at Windy Hill on Saturday at 3:05pm.

Headlining the selection are four club debutants, Maddison Gay, Bess Keaney, Emily Gough and Amy Gaylor.

Both Gay and Keaney will don the sash for the first time after coming across from Melbourne and Gold Coast respectively.

Gough and Gaylor are to make their AFLW debuts, an exciting moment for both first-year players.

Daria Bannister will make her much anticipated return from an ACL injury suffered last season in round seven. 

Sophie Van De Heuvel has successfully recovered from a foot injury, with the defender ready to go for the round one clash.