He loves playing forward, but so important back.
I vote he gets to walk around all week at the hangar wearing a cape and with his undies over his training gear.
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What a play that last goal was! From Parishās kick, he out bodies Davis to bring the ball to ground at the 50. Gathers the ball himself, shrugs off another GWS player who tries to tackle him like he wasnāt even there and gets the handpass out to Langford. Immediately sprints off toward goal and takes the mark 10 seconds later, 15 metres out, on the other side of the ground, ahead of three defenders. Just brilliant!
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ā ā ā ā ā ā legend Hooker. what a difference a contested beast makes to our forward line.
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Funniest post ive seen all night
Weāre in front with 20 seconds to go, ball goes from the centre bounce long into the giantsā forward line, exactly where Hooker would clunk the saving defensive mark. Heās not there (seemed to start on the wing running back?), and itās only dumb luck that Kelly missed the snap that would have made it a draw.
It was bad enough for 20 seconds, 8 whole games without Hooker taking those marks in the back line? No thanks.
Was hilarious when he celebrated for three seconds then went āoh ā ā ā ā !ā and started running back and screaming at his teammates to similarly wake up.
Hooker started on the wing and dropped into defence. Thatās just how the 666 rule works. Think it was planned.
Maybe he could have sprinted to the d50 in time, didnāt seem too stressed once he got to the wing.
Itās how the rule works when your full back is kicking goals at full forward, certainly. Iām just saying that, overall, Iād rather Hooker stay in the back line when emergency repairs arenāt required, and we find a ruck/forward solution that doesnāt require pulling the most important player in our back line out of position.
Happy to be in the minority on this one.
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It would be nice to swing Hooker forward and Brown back to keep some KPD presence and shake things up occasionally. Itās a high risk option, so completely understand not wanting to mess with our defence.
Before that passage of play, donāt forget the mark and hand pass to Smack for the equalizing goal!!
He is literally the reason we won that game, that goal and his own 2 goals, brilliant.
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Is it too early to start talking about his standing as an Essendon great of the last 15 years or so?
Since Hird, Jobe would be a standout #1 for us, but after that, Hooker is close to next best.
The only possible contender ahead of him in that time IMO might be Merrett.
I suppose you could include Lloyd and JJ.
Hooker has performed through thick and thin, at both ends, like a true leader and champion of the club for a long time now.
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Lucas up there. champ. oh and that redhead kid we just picked up goes alright. the one that lined up on kernahan in the grannie
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Ok I forgot fletch. Shame on me. How soon we forget.
Hooker candidate for #3
Man, he cooked Phil Davis so bad in that last 5 mins of play, I wouldnāt be surprised if Phil is still shaking his head in disbelief !
Iāve watched the last play at least a dozen times now, and still smile at the contempt he showed Zac Williams with the ādonāt argueā.
Swatted him away like an annoying fly 
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I love when Hooker does this. He just pushed him straight on his ā ā ā . He was massive in that quarter. Involved in almost every score.
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Donāt underestimate how much we will miss this bloke when he retires. Heart and soul player, does everything for the team no matter where heās asked to play. I hope that we can get a flag in the next few years before heās done. He deserves it just about more than anyoneā¦
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Cale āThe Generalā Hooker.
A little redemption after letting Jobe slip by without one.