The Bombers will host North Wagga at Temora (with Langtry Oval not yet ready) and the venue won't be the only unfamiliar territory.

Six players will make their debut for Marrar against last year's grand final rivals as Sam Emery, Blake Walker, Archie Howard, Angus Daniher, Alex Lawrence and Tyler Moye all get an early opportunity in the top grade.

"I think it's exciting. All those young fellas have had good pre-seasons," Marrar coach Shane Lenon said.

"It's a good opportunity to throw them in and see what they've got. I look at it more as exciting (than daunting). It's a good starting point for them. We'll find out on Saturday whether they're ready. Whatever happens, it's going to be a good experience for them."

Returning from the grand final team are Zach Walgers, Jack Reynolds, Mitch Taylor, Jed Jenkins, Jackson Sanbrook, Nick Molkentin, Cal Gardner, Brad Moye and brother Jackson, who has been handed the captaincy this season, succeeding Josh Hagar.

"It's good. It was a bit of a shock. I didn't expect it," Moye said.

"Sparks approached me and asked if I was keen on it. I was keen as, I couldn't believe it.

"It's an honour and it's pretty big shoes to fill. We've got a good tight-knit group. We'll be right this year."

At 26, Moye's first game as captain will also be his first alongside two younger brothers, Brad and small forward Tyler, who has moved back from Queensland.

"I've never played with the younger brother. I'd never seen him play until the trial matches so it'll be interesting to have all three on the paddock the first time," Moye said. 

"We might be a small side but we'll be very agile​."

Moye's uncompromising approach earned him the role but he expects a new generation of leaders to step up, including Nick Molkentin, John Hoey, Mitch Taylor and Brad Moye, alongside assistant coach Cal Gardner.

"There's a few there that have been there over a couple of years, so it's sort of their time to lift," he said. 

As well as off-season retirements and departures, Hagar (one week) and fellow midfielder Shannon Wiliams (two weeks) are serving suspensions while Rory Block, Tyler Cunningham, Adam Whyte, Drew Beavan and Rhys and Nathanael Mooney are among those unavailable. 

But 2017 club best-and-fairest and 2018 grand final best-on-ground, Jack Reynolds, has given the club a boost, committing solely to the Bombers rather than splitting his time between Melbourne and Marrar.

He'll add plenty across half-back, alongside Hoey who is the first to fill Clint Taylor's role at centre-half-back.

"He (Hoey) is in our leadership group and before he broke his leg last year he was playing good footy," Lenon said.

"He's very important with leadership and direction he'll give our young blokes."

While Marrar had the bye first up, North Wagga are coming off a convincing win against Barellan.

"They obviously had a win last week but we can only worry about our own backyard," Lenon said.

"It's a great opportunity to look at our young blokes against good opposition. I'm sure North Wagga are going to be up there again and the challenge for us is to see where we're at up against a good team."

The game was moved to Temora after North Wagga declined to swap home and away games with Marrar in rounds two and 11.

READ MORE: