Hocking was primarily a knock ruckman but could also play most positions around the ground. He made his debut at Collingwood in the 1938 VFL season and was a losing Grand Finalist in his first two seasons. In 1950 he was appointed club captain and he remained in the role the following year, leading Collingwood to a Preliminary Final which they lost to Essendon by two points. Hocking was a regular interstate representative for Victoria and starred at the 1950 Brisbane Carnival. That year he was named as a half back flanker in the Sporting Life Team of the Year.
Hocking retired during the 1952 VFL season, the last remaining pre-World War II VFL player.[2]
