Darcy Parish is a big Essendon omission and Jack Steven will return for St Kilda in Sunday’s opening round AFL matches.

The Bombers left Parish out of their line-up for the Sydney Showground match against GWS, while former Giant Dylan Shiel will debut for Essendon against his old side.

GWS lost star onballer Josh Kelly, who is recovering from off-season surgery and they also left out Matt Buntine.

Steven, St Kilda’s four-time best and fairest winner, has had time off to deal with mental health issues.

As recently as a fortnight ago it was unclear if he would be ready for round one, but the Saints named the midfielder in their final 22 for Sunday’s Marvel Stadium game against Gold Coast.

St Kilda will feature three newcomers – former Melbourne player Dean Kent and debutants Matthew Parker and Callum Wilkie.

The Suns named No.2 draft pick Jack Lukosius and Chris Burgess for their AFL debuts, but top-10 selection Ben King did not make the final team.

Father-son selection Bailey Scott will make his AFL debut in North Melbourne’s side for their Optus Stadium game against Fremantle.

The Kangaroos also will have recruits Aaron Hall (Gold Coast), Dom Tyson (Melbourne) and former Port Adelaide pair Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard in their side.

Fremantle will give Lachie Schultz his AFL debut.

Rory Lobb (GWS), Travis Colyer (Essendon) and Reece Conca (Richmond) will play their first games for the Dockers, but star recruit Jesse Hogan is sidelined with mental health issues.