Essendon Coach John Worsfold has no doubt Jobe Watson has benefitted from a week off leading into the match against Fremantle. 

The three-time Crichton Medal winner is among five inclusions to the Bombers squad for the match the side must win to qualify for the finals.

Watson announced 2017 would be his last season earlier this month. 

He’s played 18 games this year with last week the third time he’s been ‘managed’.

Last time the All Australian returned from a rest, he picked up 27 possessions against North Melbourne. 

“I’ve got no doubt it’s really been a great benefit for him,” Worsfold said. 

“We’ve closely been monitoring how he has been feeling and he’s trained really well and pulled up really well from that.

“It’s great to have him back out there.”

Heath Hocking, Shaun McKernan, Travis Colyer and Kyle Langford have also been named.

Josh Green (foot) and Craig Bird have been left out.

The final 22 will be named on Friday.

Hocking kicked two early goals against Footscray in the VFL before a corked thigh ended his match.

He’s recovered and is in contention to make his first senior appearance since round three.

“Buddha has only played the one game this year but he has been in really good form in the VFL,” Worsfold said. 

“He’s running as good as he has all year, it looks like he’s really peaking, so we think he’ll add something really strong to our squad.”

Colyer had played every match before he was left out last week.

“We omitted him out of the team last week because his form had been slipping but it has been a massive year for him in terms of workload,” Worsfold said.

“We felt it was best to freshen him up and believe it was more the fatigue factor that was holding him out of form, than just not being able to find the footy.

“He comes in fresh again and ready to go.”

Langford was one of the dominant players on the ground in the VFL side’s win last week.

He picked up 30 possessions in the midfield and also drifted forward to kick two goals.

“He’s another young player who has had a really solid year and he’s been developing as a midfielder for us,” Worsfold said.

“He kicked two goals last week, found plenty of the ball and we know he can play forward for us which he may get some opportunity to do this week as well.”