The return of Essendon’s suspended AFL players make them an unknown quantity according to Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead.

The traditional rivals will meet in round one on Saturday night at an MCG blockbuster, with the Bombers welcoming back a host of players from a year-long doping ban.

Roughead says it’s difficult to plan for Essendon with their players returning, while the Bombers haven’t fielded their full-strength lineup during the pre-season.