Heath Hocking’s value extends well beyond his contested ball winning ability according to Robert Shaw.

The Bombers midfielder will play his first game for the Club in more than 18 months when the Dons take on Carlton on Sunday.

Shaw told the Friday Footy Panel, the inclusion of Hocking could allow another midfielder to spend more time forward.

“He adds a different type of player – at the moment we’re ball hunters, damn good ones but we all go at the footy,” Shaw said.

“He could have a stabilising effect … maybe Hocking sits on the dangerous (Marc) Murphy and that gives you flexibility with Merrett going forward.

“We haven’t seen a lot of that yet – we have seen Heppell going forward and Watson … but it just gives you that sixth member of the forward line that’s really unpredictable.”

Read Robert Shaw's full match preview here.

Hocking is one of three inclusions for the Bombers with Matthew Leuenberger and Mitch Brown also returning.

Scott Lucas said a strong start would put the Bombers in a good position to win the match.

“They’re (Carlton) well coached and they set up well, so they’re (Essendon) going to have to work extremely hard to get on top of them,” he said.

“They need to start well and apply scoreboard pressure because Carlton aren’t a high scoring team so if you can apply scoreboard pressure early it will go a long way to deciding the game.”