Building on its blockbusters and starting the season with a ‘bang’ are set to be key elements of Essendon’s 2017 fixture submission.

The AFL has asked all clubs to submit their requests for next season’s draw.

The Bombers have opened their year at interstate venues in three of the last four seasons and across the last 16 seasons, the Club has been the ‘home’ side in round one on just two occasions.

“We’d love to open the year with a bang,” Essendon Chief Executive Xavier Campbell told Bomber Radio.

“I’m not sure we’ve done that for a number of years. 

“We’d love to look at what that could look like, we’re sort of deliberating on that internally at the moment and we’ll certainly add that into our fixture.”

Despite winning just one game this season, Essendon has the fourth highest (37,650) average crowd attendance. 

That figure is only slightly behind top of the ladder Hawthorn (37,727) and ahead of finals bound Geelong and Adelaide as well as rival, Carlton.

'Anzac Day', 'Dreamtime at the ‘G' and 'Country Game' form the backbone of Essendon’s fixture and Campbell said the Bombers would look to continue to strengthen their marquee matches, including Friday night football.

“We want to grow the blockbuster schedule again,” he said.

“This year we saw the introduction of our Country Game initiative led by ‘Sheeds’ and I think you’ll see real momentum in year two for that.

“I think our fans would love to see us play a little more Friday night football. I think commercially it’s important to play Friday night football.

“I think the hope and optimism we provide on field next year in getting these players to come back to the football club, the growth and the aspirations of the young guys this year has been one of the real positives. 

“I think there is great hope for next year on field and hopefully the AFL see that when the schedule Essendon.” 

Given the strength of support for Essendon outside Victoria, Campbell said the Bombers would continue to embrace taking the Club’s message beyond the state border.

“For us, as much as you love playing in Melbourne, in terms of our brand and growing our brand, we still embrace and we’re happy to embrace those interstate matches,” Campbell said.

“Clearly, from a travel perspective, you want to make sure you have those seven day breaks leading into those games at a minimum.”