Collingwood captain Darcy Moore is set to return in the clash with Adelaide as Essendon prepare to unveil three debutants in their AFL season opener.
Moore was sidelined with a calf injury when the Magpies started their campaign with a 12-point win over St Kilda.
The experienced key defender is expected to be fit to take on the Crows at the MCG on Saturday night, but fellow backman Jeremy Howe will miss again with his own calf injury.
Howe is expected to return after the Magpies' bye, when they take on GWS in round three.
Essendon youngsters Dyson Sharp, Max Kondogiannis and Huss El Achkar will debut against Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night, with some 90,000 fans expected.
Bombers coach Brad Scott confirmed their selection in a meeting with the playing group on Tuesday.
"To have Scotty say that I'm debuting was a really special moment - it still feels surreal to be honest," childhood Essendon fan Sharp said.
"There is a lot of hype around round one, so it was always in the back of my head that I wanted to be part of it.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity and I just can't wait to out there, hear the crowd and hopefully get my first touch."
The No.13 overall pick at last year's draft, Sharp was one of Essendon's three first-round selections after Sullivan Robey (No.9) and Jacob Farrow (No.10).
Kondogiannis (No.36) and Next Generation Academy prospect El Achkar (No.53) were later picks.
All have impressed Scott since arriving at the club.
"Certainly on pre-season performance we're extremely happy with our draftees, but we're not in a position where we have to blood players," Scott said on Monday.
"We're not trying to bring players in just for the sake of being young.
"We're going to pick the side that's going to give us the best chance and if that happens to include a couple of debutants, I think that's really exciting for our future."
