The Bombers side includes Giants foundation players Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith, with the former to play his first AFL game for Essendon, with the latter taking out the club's best and fairest in his first season there.

The match at the newly rebranded GIANTS Stadium looms as a big test for the GWS midfield, which has been eroded by trades and injuries.

Shiel apart, GWS also traded Tom Scully and Will Setterfield and will be without vice-captain Josh Kelly and co-captain Callan Ward, who had played 95 straight games and misses a match for the first time since 2015.

Smith and Shiel apart, Essendon boast plenty of midfield artillery including Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, and Andrew McGrath.

Giants' coach Leon Cameron and co-captain Phil Davis are looking to their emerging midfielders to stamp their presence on the side and support veterans Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio.

"We've definitely got a good core group whether it be (Jacob) Hopper and (Tim)Taranto that will take more ownership," Davis told AAP.

"They are definitely ready there's no qualms about that.

'We feel as though we've got a really good spread of improvement across a lot of players. I think some of our young players are very hungry."

Essendon have also suffered some pre-season injury issues with key forwards Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker missing Sunday's game, though GWS are missing experienced backs Nick Haynes and Aidan Corr.

Bombers' coach John Worsfold said he had absolute confidence in Shaun McKernan up forward after an outstanding pre-season.

Asked if he expected Shiel to fire up against his former club Worsfold quipped: "I hope he comes out firing, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't!"

"We are excited about taking (on) GWS, they are a wonderful squad of players.

"But I think we've got a wonderful squad of players too that are becoming tighter and getting a stronger chemistry and are really driven to achieving the standards that they have set themselves."

Australian Associated Press