Former Essendon coach Mark Thompson is unsure how the Bombers will rebound at the start of the AFL season.

Essendon play their season opener against Sydney at ANZ Stadium this Saturday night, only four days after the landmark AFL anti-doping tribunal rulings.

While 34 current and past Essendon players were cleared, they have endured a tumultuous few months.

Essendon also have a tough opening month – after grand finalists Sydney, they play premiers Hawthorn and then have two more blockbusters against Carlton and Collingwood.

READ MORE: Angry ASADA boss says appeal an option

The complexities of the tribunal hearing meant Essendon also had to field a makeshift team through the pre-season, hampering their preparations.

“I’m not sure how they’re going to go,” Thompson told AFL 360.

“I don’t know if they feel like it’s a big weight off the shoulder – obviously – and it’s going to help them or hinder them.

“The fact they haven’t played a game together is a bit of a worry.”

Thompson was caretaker coach last year while James Hird served his AFL suspension, and did an outstanding job guiding the Bombers into the finals.

He left the club after his new role could not be clarified.

Thompson is rapt that the players were cleared and wants them to relish being available for the start of the season.

“It will be interesting, watching – I hope they just play with a free spirit and look excited about playing and play well,” he said.

But the saga might not be over for them.

ASADA have 21 days to decide whether they appeal against the tribunal verdict and chief executive Ben McDevitt says it is an option.

– AAP