Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has praised Heath Hocking for his match-winning performance against Collingwood.

The tough on-baller kicked three goals, including the goal that put Essendon in front late in the match.

Hocking played five games this season after spending many months battling groin problems.

He picked up 23 possessions against the Magpies and laid five tackles. 

“He’s really important for the Club,” Lloyd said. 

“Even around the training track – just his physicality around training makes training better. 

“I think ‘Budda’ had a great game, it will allow him to play with a lot of confidence and train with a lot of confidence in the off-season. 

“He and David Myers will make Essendon a much better side, plus Jobe Watson, next year.”

The Bombers kicked three goals to two in the last quarter and hit the front with just 90 seconds to play.

“I thought the last quarter, the boys were really brave,” Lloyd said.

“The effort for most of the year hasn’t been too bad.

“Whether it be decision making, not being able to turn turnovers in to scores has been a real issue - but it was just nice to score close to 100 points and be on the right side of the ledger.”

Lloyd said the win against the Magpies, a side that ended the season with ten victories, would give the group added belief heading in to 2016.

“You walk away thinking you’re not as far off as you thought you were," he said.

“It just gives you something to build on.

“It just shows that the Bombers depth is as good as Collingwood’s.

“They didn’t have (Travis) Cloke or (Dane) Swan – but Essendon, you could name six or seven players that didn’t play either. 

“I think the competition is that even, aside from the top four clubs, it doesn’t take much to bounce back up the ladder.”