Hard Tag has claimed its first victim and they don’t get much bigger than Essendon champion Jobe Watson.

The retiring star joined teammates Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers on this week’s edition of Hard Tag and revealed his mixed emotions about his last home game as an Essendon player this weekend.

“There is a little bit of sadness attached – it will be the last home game that I’ll play in front of the Essendon supporters,” Watson said.

“It will be exciting and a bit of sadness but I think my two nieces are going to run out with me which will be really exciting for them and for me.

“There will also be a lot of my friends and family there."

As part of the ‘cheer the champs’ farewell celebrations on Sunday, there will be a special tribute to Jobe Watson with 10,000 face masks to be handed out to fans.

The face masks will be available at Gate 2 and Gate 5 and supporters are encouraged to hold them up during the fourth minute of each quarter against the Dockers.

“I must admit, I think there might’ve been a bit of teeth whitening on the photo,” Watson said.

“Won’t that be wonderful to look into the crowd and see myself everywhere?

“There’s a bit of ‘being John Malkovich’ about it.

“Wonderful work from the marketing team – it’s the thought that counts.”

If the Bombers can win on Sunday against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium it is likely to be enough to earn a spot the 2017 finals series.

“We know what we have to do and we will pretty much control our own destiny," Watson said.

“If we play well and win then it will be fantastic to have a finals campaign but it will also be really nice to say goodbye to a home crowd and thank everyone for their support.”

Watson announced his decision to retire earlier this month.

He has played 218 games for the Essendon Football and captained the side from 2010 until 2015.

James Kelly announced his retirement the following week, after playing 311 AFL games at Geelong (273 games) and Essendon (38).

He is a triple Premiership player and All-Australian.