The Magpies' nine-point triumph in gruelling fashion over archrival Norwood at Alberton Oval on Sunday put it a win and percentage clear of second-placed Sturt with one match to play.
But Hocking won't let his side to become complacent and has demanded another full game effort from at the bay on Saturday.
The win was crucial following two consecutive loses at the hands of South Adelaide and Central District.
"There's still one week to go and we want to finish off the year really well," Hocking said.
"The boys should go into next week's game with a bit of belief that they can win.
"Had we lost to Norwood, and losing three-in-a-row, [the players] probably would've started to doubt themselves a bit and we just needed to win and get that confidence back into the group going into a finals series."
Norwood finished the match with 12 more inside-50s than the Magpies and entered their forward 50 six more times.
But Hocking was pleased his side capitalised when in attack to clinch the win.
"Norwood make it hard for teams to move the ball, hard for teams to score and we respect what they have achieved amid all the rivalry," Hocking said.
"But it was our tackling, intent and our ability to be in the game early and our ability to go forward with more composure that won us the game."
Although Glenelg sits at the foot of the ladder, Hocking expects the Tigers will want to end their season firing.
"It doesn't matter where Glenelg are sitting, we know they will come out firing," Hocking said.
"They are a proud club so we just have to bring the same intensity we did against Norwood and set the tone early.
"There are good teams in this competition and it's been proven that even those at the bottom can produce an upset and we don't want that to happen to us going into the finals."
Port Adelaide takes on the Tigers at Glenelg at 2:10pm on Saturday 23 August.
