ESSENDON faces a tough road back to the finals after being handed a challenging draw for the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership season.

The Bombers played finals after four years in the wilderness last season and must successfully negotiate a draw that sees them play last year's top four teams twice if they are to taste September action once again in 2010.

The Dons season kicks off with the toughest challenge in football, an encounter against reigning premiers Geelong on Friday, March 26, at the MCG.

The annual centrepiece of the Bombers' draw, the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood, takes place in round five although the day will be shared with two other matches because it falls on a Sunday in 2010. 

Dreamtime at the 'G versus Richmond is in round nine next year, with the MCG clash slated for a Saturday night.

Essendon's first road trip is to Subiaco to play West Coast in round four and it is one of only three interstate trips the team will make. A round 11 match at the SCG to play the Sydney Swans and a round 14 clash with the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium round out the light travel schedule.   

The Bombers play their last eight games in Victoria, but even then they haven't been dealt any favours with their last five games against finalists from last season including top four teams St Kilda, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs. 

Matthew Knights' men will need to become night-time specialists, with 14 matches under lights split evenly between Friday and Saturday nights. There is also one twilight fixture against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in round eight.

The Dons play Hawthorn on a Friday night to kick off the split round (round 13) before taking the next weekend off.

Seventeen of the club's matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television.