Boom youngster Zach Merrett, who captained the team last year in the absence of the injured Brendon Goddard, thinks the rebuilt Bombers, with 10 players suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport back in the line-up, can emulate the performance of the Western Bulldogs in 2016.

Merrett said his confidence in the club's stronger list had been reinforced by the Bulldogs' feat of coming from seventh position to win their first premiership since 1954.

"I'm a bit nervous to have those guys back, but very excited as well ??? that we genuinely could contend for a premiership this year," Merrett said on SEN on Thursday.

"I think we can [win the flag]. I think we believed that before the Dogs did it, but now the Dogs have done it, it just gives everyone that real belief that if you get it right at the right time of the year, you can genuinely contend."

Essendon haven't won a premiership since 2000, the third-longest flag drought in the club's history. The Bombers haven't won a final of any description since 2004.

But the classy midfielder, alongside Cale Hooker a vice-captain to new skipper Dyson Heppell, believes he can play a key role in instilling confidence among his teammates.

"When I walked into the place when I was 18, it was just about trying to influence the place and influence my teammates to try (to) win a premiership," Merrett said. "I didn't really think about getting in the leadership group or being a captain or vice-captain of the club so early, but ??? hopefully I can influence my teammates towards success."

Merrett said the group of suspended players, most of them among the club's most experienced hands, had their own anxieties to deal with on the eve of their return to AFL football - the most recent appearance by any of them in a game for premiership points now more than 18 months ago.

"Their first month through November they were probably super-excited and very eager, and then December and January they got back into pre-season mode and realised how much of a slog it really was," he said. "Now round one's approaching, obviously guys are anxious [and there's] a big unknown of what's going to happen. There are a lot of unknowns, but hopefully the fitness and conditioning staff have got them ready."