Adam Cooney will play his first game for Essendon when the side takes on Sydney on Saturday.

The 2008 Brownlow medal winner joined the Bombers after 219 games for the Western Bulldogs.

“Adam’s biggest strengths are his speed and also his ability to use the ball.  So we’re excited to have someone with elite kicking ability and elite speed,” Essendon Coach James Hird said.

Dyson Heppell has been named after overcoming a knee injury late in the pre-season, leaving Hird with virtually a full list to choose from.

“It was a difficult process.  It’s a good team.  We’ve got the majority of our players available.  When you’re leaving out guys that deserve games it’s always a good sign but it’s tough on some of those players as well.”

After just eight games last season, ruckman Tom Bellchambers is fit and set to shoulder an increased workload after the departure of Paddy Ryder.

“Tommy is massive for us.  Tommy deserves to have a good year, he had an injury-riddled year last year.  We’re really excited that Tom’s had a fantastic pre-season, his ankle’s great.  We just can’t wait to see him in action,” Hird said.

Essendon was ranked 12^th in scoring last season.

Joe Daniher will play a key role in the forward line but Hird is looking for a variety of players to contribute on the scoreboard.

“One of the hard things for other teams playing against Essendon now is there’s  a lot of options to score.  If we can get our ball movement working I think we’re a good chance to score good scores throughout the year”.