Heath Hocking will make his return to the Essendon line-up in the match against Carlton on Sunday.
The tough midfielder hasn’t played since 2015 when he kicked three goals including the match winner in round 23 against Collingwood.
Hocking endured a frustrating run of injuries throughout that season. He’s played just five games in the last 945 days.
But after a full pre-season Essendon Coach John Worsfold said Hocking will be a welcome addition to the midfield.
“Buddha has had a very good pre-season,” he said.
“He’s just a hard worker. He was a bit scratchy early on but he’s really started to get his football feet going again, he’s flowing and finding the ball and having an impact on games.
“He’ll come in and compete really hard for us, win a lot of contested footy for us and put a lot of pressure on the opposition.”
Matthew Leuenberger will also play his first game of the season after overcoming a hamstring injury.
“We were really pleased with how he held up last year and his pre-season has been really solid,” Worsfold said.
“It was disappointing to lose him on the eve of the season but he’s worked really hard and he’s ready to come into the line-up and ruck really well for us.”
Worsfold said Mitch Brown would be used in the backline this week after alternating between defence and attack in 2016.
“He was very versatile for us last year but we’ve had a strong focus on him as a defender this year,” Worsfold said.
“He’s been in some pretty good form through the JLT Series and certainly in the VFL practice matches over the last couple of weeks he’s played really well.
“We’re confident he’s ready to do the job.”
The final 22 man team will be announced on Friday at 5pm.
Carlton vs. Essendon
Sunday April 9
3:20pm (AEST)
MCG
In: Matthew Leuenberger, Heath Hocking, Mitch Brown, Matt Dea, James Stewart
Out: Ben Howlett (hamstring), Michael Hartley
Milestone: David Zaharakis 150 games
B: Baguley, Hurley, Stanton
HB: Goddard, Ambrose, Kelly
C: Colyer, Heppell, Fantasia
HF: Brown, Hooker, Zaharakis
F: Z.Merrett, Daniher, McDonald-Tipungwuti
R: Leuenberger, Watson, Hocking
I: McGrath, Parish, Gleeson, Stewart, Langford, McKernan, Dea
