Essendon coach John Worsfold wants the 12 banned Bombers to return to the club next year but says he understands if they carefully consider their options once their suspensions end.

The Bombers face a challenging season on the field with a bulk of their best players unavailable, but also confront the unprecedented situation of attempting to retain the dozen suspended players.

Worsfold, who was appointed as James Hird's replacement in October last year, said he hoped his three months in charge of the full Bombers squad in the pre-season before the Court of Arbitration's verdict had given the players an insight into the refreshed environment at the club.

But the West Coach premiership captain and coach said he couldn't be sure if all the players would want to resume their careers at Essendon after serving their bans.

"I can't be confident because I don't know what they're thinking, and I don't know how they'll be feeling in six months' time. But I can be really hopeful," Worsfold told AFL.com.au.

"My job is to help the Essendon Football Club have the best possible environment going forward, not just for those guys but for our supporters and our current players and the whole club.

"I'm really confident that the 12 have already seen a glimpse of what we're starting to build, and that they were excited about that and that's going to be even better by the end of this season. So if they do come back, they'll be really excited by what they come back to.

"I'm confident they'll be aware of that, but ultimately it's their careers and their decision to say what's the best decision to make for the remainder of their careers."

Best and fairest winner Cale Hooker is among the prized signatures Essendon will be chasing, particularly as the All Australian defender becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

Brent Stanton, David Myers, Tayte Pears and Heath Hocking also qualify as free agents at the end of 2016 and Ben Howlett also falls out of contract, while captain Jobe Watson and key defender Michael Hurley have contracts through to the end of 2017.

Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hibberd and Travis Colyer are also among the banned Bombers to be signed through to the end of the 2017 season, while Dyson Heppell committed to the club to the end of 2020.

Despite their respective contract statuses, Worsfold acknowledges the players will need to ponder whether they want to return to the Bombers for 2017 after four years in the supplement saga's spotlight.   

"I absolutely understand that we all see things differently. And the way I see it will be totally different to the way any of the players see it, and every one of those 12 players will see it slightly different to each other," Worsfold said.

"I don't want them to come back to Essendon unless they are absolutely clear that's what they really want to do. Because it will be too tough for them and we'll feel it if they're there and they're not sure. That's the challenge for those guys.

"They're going to have a lot of conflicting thoughts, emotions and advice, but ultimately it's going to be what's inside their heart about what they do."

Essendon begins its era under Worsfold on Sunday, with a NAB Challenge clash against Carlton at Ikon Park.