Long bans over and new colours for many...

It's the return of the banned as the previously suspended past and present Bombers get back to competitive football. While Essendon have 10 of those players on their list, it shouldn't be forgotten that Michael Hibberd (Melbourne), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs), Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide) and Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide) are also free to play after serving year-long doping suspensions. Collingwood pair Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas have also completed their doping-related bans and are free to play.

Seeing fresh faces at new clubs is always exciting and there will be no shortage of big names in that department with Sam Mitchell (West Coast), Jordan Lewis (Melbourne), Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn), Dion Prestia (Richmond), Brett Deledio (GWS) and Travis Cloke (Bulldogs) all now in new colours.

Michael Hurley is one of the banned Bombers set for return in the pre-season. Photo: Pat Scala

Play the kids...

Another source of great anticipation will be seeing which highly-touted youngsters will be unveiled – such as Andrew McGrath (Essendon), Tim Taranto (GWS), Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions), Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast) and Will Setterfield (GWS). There is also plenty of hype surrounding Collingwood father-son duo Callum Brown and Josh Daicos.

Players back from long-term injuries

A clutch of the competition's superstars are due to feature following long recuperations from serious injuries. The returns of Fremantle's Nat Fyfe (leg), Brisbane's Dayne Beams (knee), Carlton captain Marc Murphy (ankle), Bulldogs skipper Robert Murphy (knee) and Collingwood goalsneak Jamie Elliott (back) will delight supporters.

Back from injury: Nat Fyfe. Photo: Getty Images

Different rule interpretations

For the opening two matches of the pre-season series, the AFL will trial a different penalty for any deliberate rushed behind. A point will be awarded and the ball then thrown up five metres in front of the goal square, rather than a free kick for goal as will apply during the premiership season.

During pre-season, there will also be eight players on the bench, unlimited interchange rotations and nine-point super goals awarded from outside 50m.

In the first three weeks of the competition games will consist of 20-minute quarters, with the first 15 minutes having no time on except after goals and for significant delays in play.

In the final week of the competition, matches will revert to premiership-season length (20 minutes plus time-on).

Five quirky adventures from pre-seasons past

* Essendon's decision to charter a flight to the Victorian town of Wangaratta for a match against St Kilda in 2012 backfired disastrously. The Bombers' plane was unable to land due to inclement weather, and turned back to Melbourne, leading to the match being cancelled. The fact it would have only been a three-hour drive added to the public backlash Essendon received.

* Richmond tried in vain to have last year's meeting with Port Adelaide called off mid-match after they lost four players to injury. At one stage, Richmond fielded only 15 men before being forced by the AFL to put two more players on the field. Unsurprisingly, the Power ended up winning by 48 points.

* Usually, winning silverware is cause for celebration, but try telling that to then-St Kilda coach Grant Thomas and captain Lenny Hayes who appeared to be at a funeral when they accepted the 2004 Wizard Cup trophy, such was the glumness on their faces.

Thrilled: Grant Thomas and Lenny Hayes. Photo: John French

* In 1979, Hawthorn and Claremont players got a rude shock when Waverley Park's in-ground sprinkler system turned on in the middle of their night series match. After a short delay, the sprinklers were turned off and the Hawks went on to win.

* Waverley Park was the scene of controversy again in 1993 when Carlton players Ryan O'Sullivan and Andrew Phillips suffered serious knee injuries. The poor condition of the ground was widely seen as the reason for the injuries, prompting Blues coach David Parkin to urge O'Sullivan to sue. He eventually did, and settled out of court.