Star Essendon recruit Paul Chapman plays his former team for the first time tonight at Etihad Stadium.

A 3-time premiership player, Norm Smith Medallist and best and fairest winner with Geelong he will no doubt have some strange feelings facing his former teammates.

We take a look back at some other Bombers who have had the tricky proposition play against their old sides in recent years.

Brendon Goddard: Round 4, 2013 Essendon 128 dft. St Kilda 91

23 disposals (14k, 9h), 6 tackles, 1 goal

Arguably the most notable recruit for Essendon in recent times had the most emotion as he faced his former side, St Kilda.

Goddard played ten seasons with the Saints after being drafted number one in the 2002 National Draft.

He played for the Saints throughout their 3 Grand Final appearances during the 2000s, which they fell agonisingly short in all games, one being a draw.

It was a much-anticipated game as Goddard faced the Saints for the first time, where the Bombers eventually ran out 37-point winners.

Goddard, famously, was overcome with emotion during his post-match interview on the ground, where he cried as he said: “I don’t want to see them lose.”

The 29-year-old ended up winning the Crichton Medal in his first season with the Bombers and has been promoted to take the captaincy as Jobe Watson overcomes injury.

Adam McPhee: Round 6, 2003 Fremantle 131 dft. Essendon 100

11 disposals (7k, 4h) 1 goal

McPhee started his career at Fremantle playing 25 games for the Dockers before joining the Bombers in 2003.

It was round six that McPhee had the chance to face the Dockers for the first time, where Essendon had a miserable 31-point defeat.

The defender managed just 11 disposals and kicked a goal.

McPhee played seven seasons with Essendon establishing himself in the defence, before returning back to Fremantle in 2010 where he played a further two seasons and 56 games.

Mal Michael: Round 8, 2007 Essendon 127 dft. Brisbane 63

10 disposals (6k, 4h), kept Jonathan Brown to one goal

In a shock move, Mal Michael came out of retirement in 2007 to join the Bombers at much anger to the Brisbane Lions.

Michael had finished his career at the Brisbane Lions as of the end of 2006 after playing 201 games (65 with Collingwood), and part of the Lions’ 2001-2003 premiership three-peat.

Remarkable the 3-time premiership defender reconsidered his retirement and joined Essendon in the 2007 pre-season draft.

It wasn’t until round eight that Michael got his chance against the Lions where he played a successful game, keeping dominant forward Jonathon Brown to just one goal and Essendon had a massive 64-point win.

Michael played out a further 37 games over two seasons, where he remained a serviceable key defender for the Bombers.