Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has called on the red and black army to turn Etihad Stadium into a fortress opposition teams fear.

The Bombers have revealed a new look pre-game schedule for the 2018 season and want fans in their seats by 7:30pm to play their part in the lead up to the game.

Heppell said the players feel the energy of the crowd and has urged fans to be loud and make lots of noise to build the atmosphere in the stadium.

“It’s enormous, we get a massive buzz off the crowd,” Heppell said.

“I think we’ll have a massive turn out at Etihad Stadium in round one against the Crows, so get down there Bomber fans.

“I’d hate to be playing against us when we’re here to be honest.”

You don’t have to wait until the first bounce for the fireworks to begin, with plenty of exciting entertainment pre-game to prepare Bomber fans to FLY UP.

The club will celebrate its astonishing comeback victory over the Crows in the 1993 preliminary final by showing a full replay of the classic win on the big screen prior to the match.

Essendon will also honour its first Bomber Legend of the year, so keep your eyes peeled on essendonfc.com.au to find out which former Bomber it will be.

The Bomber Legend and head coach John Worsfold will also take part in Q&As, and Essendon’s pre-season highlights will be shown.

A huge crowd is expected to fill Etihad Stadium next Friday, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets and arrive at the game well in advance to ensure they don’t miss a minute of what is sure to be an exciting start to the season. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO SEE THE BOMBERS FLY UP

ROUND ONE COUNTDOWN TO FLY UP:

5:30 – Essendon Club Hub opens

5:45 – Gates open

6:00 – Re-live the ’93 preliminary final comeback win against Adelaide on the big screen

7:30 – Ready to launch. Bomber Army in seats.

7:35 – Prepare to FLY UP into 2018

7:36 – The Mighty Bombers enter Etihad Stadium

7:37 – Woosha Q&A

7:39 – Enemy approaches

7:40 – Pre-season highlights

7:42 – Bomber Legend honoured

7:43 – Bomber Legend Q&A

7:44 – Final team line-up

7:47 – Coin toss

7:48 – Bomber Legend fires up the air raid siren

7:49 – 60-second countdown to launch, wave your scarves and make some noise

7:50 – FLY UP!

CLICK HERE TO DON THE SASH AND FLY UP IN 2018