Retired #26: Cale Hooker - Has announced his retirement at season's end 🍷

[Runk]

I'd say hes about 33/1 to play round 1 - Isn't even with the main training group yet so will be a long way behind.Besides - he's too important to risk given his versatility and ability to play as a key forward

33/1?

Is that SportsBet or Ladbrokes?

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

SIGN HIM UP ASAP- Free agent next season and until he signs I will be very nervous

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

SIGN HIM UP ASAP- Free agent next season and until he signs I will be very nervous

Fremantle and Hawks will come knocking.

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

Fremantle and Hawks will come knocking.

B&F winner and looks like he bleeds for the club so I'm hoping he resists temptation!

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

This guy will be a one-club player. Not worried at all.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

He did reject a trade back to WA years ago so I'm confident he won't go anywhere but I'll begin to worry if he hasn't signed by the half way point next year.

 

[Rack Watts]

Less worried about him than I am Watson or Heppell. That's saying something.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

http://m.essendonfc.com.au/news/2015-12-03/dons-consider-backline-mix

I found this part most pleasing and interesting.

“The debate will be whether (Cale) Hooker plays forward or back, at the moment he’s training as a forward,” Harvey said.

 

[hurlygurdy]

http://m.essendonfc.com.au/news/2015-12-03/dons-consider-backline-mix

I found this part most pleasing and interesting.

Woooooo hoooooo! Doing the Hooker up forward dance!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Coaching the backline like he's meant to.

 

[SherbertLemon]

I've stuck by the club through years of mediocrity and the supplements saga.... But if we even entertain the thought of recruiting Dawes it's membership microwaved.

 

[Loonerty]

I've stuck by the club through years of mediocrity and the supplements saga.... But if we even entertain the thought of recruiting Dawes it's membership microwaved.

...what?

 

[Beerfish]

http://m.essendonfc.com.au/news/2015-12-03/dons-consider-backline-mix

I found this part most pleasing and interesting.

Seems odd. Didn't Woosh pretty much state point blank he'd be back?

 

[SherbertLemon]

...what?

There's discussion of recruiting Chris Dawes a few posts back Loony.

 

[SherbertLemon]

Well, a "type" which is just as bad.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Seems odd. Didn't Woosh pretty much state point blank he'd be back?

I can't remember now whether he did or it wasn't as definite but interpreted that way.

It could be he thought that until they got both Hartley and Brown. They might want to improve his forward nous for when they swing him forward and believe he will be fine not training with the back group for awhile.

However this still doesn't mean Hooker won't be back. But I'm someone who would like him to be given at least the first half of the year to cement a spot as a KPF so I find this promising.

 

[boncer34]

There's discussion of recruiting Chris Dawes a few posts back Loony.

2 months ago.

 

[SherbertLemon]

2 months ago.

I've been carefully planning my response.

 

[Doss]

In fairness the prospect of Dawes is just that horrific.

 

[yaco55]

No surprise the backline coach wants to retain Hooker - Reckon the forwardline coach would be the same if Hooker is training with the backs.

 

[hurlygurdy]

Seems odd. Didn't Woosh pretty much state point blank he'd be back?

During his first week at the club? I thought at the time he was jumping the gun. Since then he has probably had time to consider what the team might be capable of if it had a well constructed, completely settled forward line to build around. Brown/Hartley look really capable down back so it has to be pretty tempting. Hopefully Mckernan can look the goods up forward to keep everyone honest...

 

[bombreys]

Would rather him down back.

Not entirely comfortable with any of Gwilt/Pears/Brown/Hartley coming in as our FB from round one.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Our defence went to shit when he was moved forward use one of Brown or Hartley instead.

 

[Beerfish]

I don't want to see him forward unless he can improve his set shots. It's just a waste otherwise.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Our defence went to shit when he was moved forward use one of Brown or Hartley instead.

Moved forward round 14, Watson injured... round 14. Getting dominated out of the midfield just as likely the cause of said going to shit.

 

[Howard Moon]

All Australian key defender Cale Hooker has been training with the forwards group over the first part of this pre-season following his stint in attack last season.
"At the moment we want him to spend a bit of time forward because he showed he could impact up forward without actually having ever trained there. There's a lot of upside there," Worsfold said of Hooker, who kicked 21 goals last season and won the club's best and fairest....

Hartley back - hooker fwd!