Hocking got a late tap on the shoulder just two minutes before the bounce yesterday after Cale Hooker felt a tightness in his calf.

The club veteran was in, and in the end, he was crucial to their 15-point win.

Hocking kicked two goals, including a fourth-quarter effort to snap a run of five straight majors by the fast-finishing Dockers.

More than his effort on the day, Worsfold said the 29-year-old represented the winding journey travelled by the Bombers.

He has played just seven matches in three years – partially owing to his doping ban last year – and might not have played another one given the rise of junior players at the club.

On of those, Zach Merrett, starred as the Bombers locked in a top eight place with the tougher-than-expected 16.11 (107) to 14.8 (92) win.

On a day designed to fete retiring greats Jobe Watson and James Kelly, the next-gen midfielder stole the show.

The 21-year-old had 31 touches and kicked a career-high four goals.

But it was nearly not enough, until last-minute inclusion Hocking also took his moment, and in doing so ensured the Bombers returned to the finals.

“For all those guys that returned to the Essendon Football Club, it was epitomised by Heath Hocking,” Worsfold said.

“He was a late inclusion into the team but he was the first one to recommit to the club.

“I was disappointed to lose Hooker but I was rapt to see Buddha (Hocking) run out and help the team make the finals because he was a big part of the club getting back to where we are.”

However, Hocking is unlikely to keep his place when the Bombers play their elimination final against Sydney on Saturday week.

Hooker will be assessed after the fresh injury, while Orazio Fantasia “will be close” to returning and Michael Hurley is “expected” to be right.

The Swans are among the premiership favourites but Worsfold said the match wouldn’t be a lay-down misere.

“We’re going OK I reckon,” Worsfold said.

“We’ve played Sydney on the road in what was a nail-biting great game of footy.

“We’re confident in our best footy and with a couple of inclusions coming in we’re going to have a really well prepared team.”

Essendon threw it away on their last trip to the SCG in round 14, conceding late goals to lose by a point.

But Worsfold said he didn’t need that match to be confident he could match it with the Swans.

“The season fills me with confidence,” he said.

“We’ll go up there… excited about knowing that when we hit our best footy, patches of our best are unstoppable.”

-AAP