Essendon coach Matthew Knights has declared it's time for his improving side to take a stand against Geelong.

The Bombers have not beaten the reigning AFL premiers in five years, with their most recent three losses coming by a combined total of 213 points.

With the exception of suspended trio Nathan Lovett-Murray, Mark McVeigh and Michael Hurley, Essendon have a near full-strength list to choose from for their opening-round clash at the MCG on Friday night.

Ruckman David Hille and exciting key forward prospect Scott Gumbleton will return after long-term injuries, former Hawthorn forward Mark Williams will play his first match in red and black and rookie Ben Howlett will make his AFL debut against a side targeting a third flag in four years.

"They have outmuscled us and really had their way with us the last two years in times we have played them," Knights said on Tuesday.

"We understand that and we've got to look to rectify that.

"Part of the evolution of this group is dealing with really good sides like Geelong.

"We've been OK and quite decent against quality sides in the comp but Geelong is one team we haven't matched up well on thus far.

"But it's a new season, we're really positive about what we've done in the pre-season, the players are in a really positive frame of mind and we think we're up for the challenge."

The ruck duel shapes as a potential game-breaker on Friday night.

Hille returns after a knee reconstruction to team up with Paddy Ryder against the Cats' twin towers Brad Ottens and Mark Blake.

Knights is also thrilled that Gumbleton is fit to start the season - having been limited by a string of injuries to just five games in three years since being taken with pick No.2 in the 2006 national draft.

"It's great to have (Hille and Gumbleton) out there," said Knights.

"Essendon teams have run out on the ground so much in the last 12 to 24 months without both of them, so it's going to be great to have them in the line-up."

Howlett has been the pre-season bolter at Windy Hill, with the 21-year-old midfielder promoted off the rookie list and straight into the round-one line-up.

"It's a wonderful story, he's come from a long way back and made up really good ground in the last month," Knights said.

"We gave Ben the news about 9.30 last night on the MCG when as a playing group we got to go out there and have a look at the ground after our fantastic function with our living premiership players.

"... He's a fairly unobtrusive character, so there wasn't much animation.

"But he's really proud underneath, he's 21 years old, he's been through three drafts to get a chance at the Essendon footy club.

"It's a really wonderful story and no greater challenge for him than to come up against the likes of (Jimmy) Bartel and (Joel) Selwood and (Gary) Ablett and Joel Corey and the star-studded midfield they've got."

Howlett and Gumbleton both joined Essendon from WAFL club Peel Thunder.

Another WA product, Kyle Hardingham, is a chance to debut against Geelong.

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