Been to training many times and I’d have to say he’s the most welcoming and kind bloke you’ll ever meet. He’s bled for the jumper in every game he’s played. Even with an ageing body and not being able to do what he use to he’s always committed 100% for our club. The first to sign when things hit the fan those years ago. What a warrior and a legend you are Hooksy!
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I’m not ready for this news today.
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Why.can’t the media allow him to announce his retirement, why do they feel the need to steal that announcement?
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You heard it here first! Because they all want to be the best in the business.
It’s their role as the fourth estate to fearlessly investigate and report on news that powerful entities want to keep hidden. If it wasn’t for the intrepid journalists of football, Hooker’s retirement would remain a secret, he would disappear from history and the club would never acknowledge he had ever played for Essendon.
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That game against Geelong in 2018 where he took Tom Hawkins to the cleaners is an absolute stand-out for me. Was just about as dominant a game you will ever see from a key position defender.
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Yep, wasn’t that the game he went back or returned from injury? He won the medal for BOG.
A true legend of Essendon, will be missed by many.
You’re gonna get Bessie worked up with pics like that !
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Better play him against the Pies
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They can’t do that, unfortunately.
Likely it’s a Live game in terms of making Finals, and we need another couple of games with this current structure to see if it works.
If we Essington the Sun’s game and results go against us, then Hooker and Zaka should play the last.
He’s kickin bloody GOOOAAAALLLLS!
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Not raining on Cale’s parade in any way, but wasn’t Hocking first to sign?
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Classic.
Garry Lyon’s gone too early if that Jay Clark article is to believed
AFL trade news 2021: Essendon has a big decision to make on stalwart Cale Hooker’s future at the club | Herald Sun
Essendon veteran Cale Hooker is weighing up a big call on his future after talks with the Bombers about his options for next season.
The Bombers are interested in keeping him on the list and have considered a few different scenarios where Hooker could continue on at the club next season in a playing and coaching role for 2022.
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That way, Hooker, 32, could help bolster the Bombers’ depth in the key forward area and help continue to teach and mentor the club’s youngsters.
Essendon is expected to keep its top pick this year and pick up another gun youngster in the draft and then target Gold Coat spearhead Ben King at the end of next season.
The Bombers are building one of the most exciting young lists in the league, having hit the jackpot in last year’s exchange period and draft, snaring Archie Perkins, Nik Cox and Zach Reid in the first round of the draft and then Nick Hind and Peter Wright in bargain-basement trade deals.
Cale Hooker could remain at Essendon next year but on reduced terms. Picture: Michael Klein
Hooker, who has played 2019 games, has held informal discussions about his options for next season but is yet to receive any formal offers from the club.
But there is an understanding if he plays on next season in a dual playing and coaching role it will be on significantly-reduced terms.
With two games remaining in the season, Hooker is undecided on what he will do for next season, as the Bombers try and pull off a remarkable finals berth.
Essendon can seal a spot in the eight if they beat the Suns and the Magpies and the Giants and Tigers lose at least one game on the run home.
There has been speculation Hooker is leaning towards retirement in recent days, even though he made an excellent start to the season this year booting 29 goals over his first 12 games and is second overall for goals at the club.
He has 33 from 18 in all this season. Only Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has been managed this week, has booted more majors (34) at Essendon than Hooker this season.
While there would be no guarantees Hooker will remain in Essendon’s best 22, the club has a strong view he can still make a strong contribution in an on and off-field role for 2022.
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that’s a decent effort
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No silly… 2019 is the year… that Jay Clark graduated from journo school
Not the first time it’s happened. IIRC when Guelfi signed on they copied his # of games stats from Hooker. Guelfi was listed as a 19yo with 150 odd games’ experience.
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Watch out Jake you’re next
2019 games? No wonder he has been rested lately.
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