Experienced Bomber David Zaharakis has heaped praise on Essendon’s passionate fans, lauding them for their ongoing resilience and support.

No fans will be permitted to watch the Dons in person when they take on Fremantle in their first home and away clash of the season at Marvel Stadium on Saturday in a big blow for all involved.

But Zaharakis – Essendon’s most experienced senior player with 207 senior games in front of the red and black army under his belt – knows the team will still have the full support of its fans.

“The one thing this club is, is it’s a very resilient place, we’ve got some great people that work here,” Zaharakis said on Fox Footy on Monday.

“Our fans are very resilient people, they’ve been through a lot with this footy club over the last six, seven, eight years.

“It’s shattering that they can’t come and support us for round one.

“I know watching at home – or seeing you from a couple of metres away on the street – they give us their support.”

There is still a great level of uncertainty about the immediate future of the league and its stakeholders, but Zaharakis is confident Essendon will be able to conquer the unique challenges it has been forced to face.

“If round one does go ahead it will be great to get back into some footy, but this situation is way bigger than football.

“Hopefully we can get through this as a club, because we are a strong, united club and hopefully the AFL in general and the wider community (can also get through it).”

Players may be required to take a pay cut to help overcome the financial burden the league is set to take on and Zaharakis is seeing the bigger picture.

“The whole wider community is affected by this, there are businesses all around the world suffering at the moment,” he said.

“It’s not just the AFL players, it’s everyone around the world suffering from pay cuts or loss of jobs. It’s bigger than us just in football to have to take a pay cut; it’s everyone in the community.

“Everyone is suffering from this and we’re a part of that.”

The first bounce on Saturday is set for 1:45pm.