Midfielder Heath Hocking played an important role in Essendon's 16-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but the 23 year-old was more pleased with his team's ability to fight back from a slow start than his own solid contribution.
 
The Eagles jumped the Bombers at the start of the match, driving the ball forward from stoppages to dominate the inside 50 count 21-6 by quarter-time, and should have led by more than 15 points.
 
But Essendon gradually turned things around in the second quarter, climbing back to within two goals at the main break before pulling away with six unanswered goals in the third quarter.
 
""We knew they've been massive improvers from last year and we knew they were going to come out hard,"" Hocking said after the match.
 
""They're good with the contested ball, they've got a strong midfield, and I think in the first quarter they probably just bullied us a little bit around the stoppages, but we identified that and tried to work hard in the second quarter.""
 
 
Hocking was a key part of the momentum shift, sent to dangerous onballer Daniel Kerr approaching time-on in the first quarter after the veteran Eagle started the game in blazing fashion, winning 14 disposals, including six clearances, by quarter-time.
 
Although he still finished as the Eagles' leading possession-winner with 28, Kerr was less damaging once under Hocking's close watch.
 
Importantly, Hocking was able to keep his direct opponent to six touches as Essendon fought back into the match during the second quarter, and only two clearances.
 
""He's a great player, so I just tried to respect that and just play as hard as I could,"" Hocking said.
 
The former Mooroolbark junior, runner-up in Essendon's best and fairest last year, also kicked two second-quarter goals as his team gathered momentum.
 
""When you've got a run-with role you've got to try and do what you can to hurt them on the turnaround,"" Hocking said.
 
""So that's what I tried to do, and it worked out well.""
 
Bombers coach James Hird was in no doubt that Hocking, who finished with 15 disposals, was a major contributor to the win.
 
""Daniel (Kerr) is just coming into some really good form,"" Hird said.
 
""His game today was exceptional, (but) Heath slowed him down a little bit, which was good and was one of the reasons we were able to get back into the game in terms of clearances and stoppages.""