While Essendon fans have had to face the disappointment of seeing Captain Matthew Lloyd suspended for the blockbuster, they would have been buoyed on by news of Ramanauskas' return.
It will be the first time Ramanauskas has played senior football since Round 3, 2005. And there could be no-one more deserving of the opportunity to battle it out with Geelong, with the match set to provide a fairytale ending to Ramanauskas' courageous battle with cancer.
""It is very exciting,"" Ramanauskas said.
""I was just happy to get the opportunity and didn’t expect anything like this but will take the opportunity with open arms.""
Ramanauskas has timed his return perfectly to coincide with James Hird’s 250th.
Hird told media today that Adam’s return will provide the inspiration the Bombers need as they take on a red-hot Geelong unit this Friday night.
""I am just proud to be a friend of Adam,"" Hird said.
""He is just an amazing person and I have known him a long time.
""We probably didn’t realise how strong he was before but just seeing the fight he has gone through and the strength of character he has shown makes me honoured to be able to play footy with him again.""
Humble in his return, Ramanauskas is more focused on team success as they take on a red-hot Geelong.
""We just want to win,"" Ramanauskas explained.
""This is not about myself or about Hirdy. We are out there to make the finals now.
""We have put ourselves in a good position, and if I can play my little part, whether it be only one or two games, I am happy.
""And I know for Hirdy in his last year of footy, we just want to get out there and do everything we possibly can to give him the chance to play finals footy.""
And Ramanauskas is confident that this will not be a one-off, with the Bomber’s positive attitude still burning bright.
""Until someone tells me I can’t do this anymore, I will continue to try as hard as I can.""
The full interview can be seen on bomber.tv by clicking here.
