Essendon’s side to take on Gold Coast will feature just eight players that ran out in the team’s last home and away match in round 23 last year.

Despite the significant turnover, the team still includes six players with Grand Final experience.

Those six boast seven premiership medals between them.

John Worsfold named 10 new players, including two first gamers, in his first Bombers line-up with the Coach telling Bomber Radio fitness was a key factor.

“Fitness has had to come into it because some of the new players only arrived four or five weeks ago,” Worsfold said.

“We’ve had a lot of other factors that have affected our ability to pick the team.

“The squad we’ve picked will be a fit squad that’s hungry and ready to go.”

Among those missing out is second year player Jayden Laverde.

The 19 year old injured his ankle in his only NAB Challenge match against Geelong.

He’s recovered, but the match committee opted to bring him back through the VFL, with Matthew Egan’s side to play a practice match at Whitten Oval on Saturday.

“He’s fit to play but not to play a full game of AFL football,” Worsfold said.

“Initially we didn’t even know if he’d be able to run around and get any match practice in this week but he’ll be able to do that with the VFL practice game.

“He’ll play the amount of time and volume of running that we want him to do.

“But the big picture for him is he wasn’t physically ready to play a full game of AFL just yet, he’s not far away from that though.”

Orazio Fantasia picked up the Rising Star nomination following that final game last year against Collingwood, but he too missed out on a spot for the season opener.

“Fantasia obviously played a little bit last year and we’re really excited with what he brings,” Worsfold said.

“He knows he’s got areas to work on in his game but he’s got the attributes to play and have a very long, successful AFL career.

“It’ll be a bit frustrating for him not being there right away but it gives him the opportunity to improve on those areas.”

Mitch Brown, James Gwilt and Paddy Ambrose will fill the key defensive posts against the Gold Coast.

Draftee Michael Hartley was named to play in the VFL after playing three NAB Challenge matches.

“Michael Hartley has been great for us as well, when it comes to crunch time we were really impressed with Mitch Brown’s pre-season, Paddy Ambrose’s pre-season and Jimmy Gwilt,” Worsfold said.

“They just edged him out of the side but not through us doubting whether he’s good enough to play AFL.

“I think he’s shown enough to say that he’s going to be a good player for the Essendon Football Club for a fair while.”