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

[Lore]

Contract Status: Retiring at the end of Season 2021
Last Game Played: Round 19, 2021 (omit)
Injury Status: n/a

 

[schmuttt]

Anyone else ever find it bizarre how good he was at kicking goals from general play? I feel like he was a small forward trapped in the body of a CHB.

 

[Bjchan13]

Extended speech | Hooker announces retirement https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video...irement?videoId=1003220&modal=true&type=video

 

[Towno78]

Anyone else ever find it bizarre how good he was at kicking goals from general play? I feel like he was a small forward trapped in the body of a CHB.

You'd back him in every time, across his body on either side, it's crazy. Set shot from 25 out on the hand.

 

[jmoo wan]

Extended speech | Hooker announces retirement https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video...irement?videoId=1003220&modal=true&type=video

is it worth watching? Does he call any one a campaigner?

 

[Bjchan13]

is it worth watching? Does he call any one a campaigner?

Yes worth watching, no, hes just saying thanks to everyone. Thanks his partner, so hopefully hes settling and there a future chickens in the red and black

 

[yodellinhank]

Yes worth watching, no, hes just saying thanks to everyone. Thanks his partner, so hopefully hes settling and there a future chickens in the red and black

Sons on the board

 

[Pweter]

I'm really going to miss this bastard in the red and black. Been a loyal servant, a great player, a heart and soul player, just a real beaury.

Good luck Chook, hope life post footy gives you everything you want, including several supremely talented footballing sons

 

[Duckworth]

Lets get him a statue.

The statue should have some animatronics and ruffle your hair as you walk past it.

 

[babydoll]

He went out of his way to acknowledge Zaka particularly during 2016. To all the campaigners who bag the hell out of Zaka, watch this video.

 

[blitzer]

Geez I'd love to see him pull on the Red & Black one last time. Its a tough dilemma for the coaches. Especially as we've got Francis occupying a spot who whilst respectable isn't setting the world on fire up forward.

I think its just the feels getting the best of me but I'd name him against Collingwood. He wouldn't let us down.

 

[ghostdog]

Yes worth watching, no, hes just saying thanks to everyone. Thanks his partner, so hopefully hes settling and there a future chickens in the red and black

I hope his partner has a basketball background.

 

[84859300]

What an absolute Essendon man, through and through. With all the muck we went through during the saga you saw Chook out front and centre with Jobe. First to the organised training group. When it was time to re-sign he was the first one with pen in hand. As was mentioned in other posts - we tried to farm him out. Twice. You could never knock his determination, in both the B50 & F50.

In what is to be the guys last year, broken body running on Guts & Determination; he was a leader for the Coleman. Beating players more fancied, younger and looking for scalps

Second to Daren Bewick, has any other player celebrated a goal as much as Cale? His double cobra, yelling with entusiasm and grinning was a pure delight to witness and a real lifter to his mates on the park.

In his speech he said he didn't leave anything on the table. I think this was a given that no one could argue. Gave his all.

Great career, mate!

 

[Bombermania]

Geez I'd love to see him pull on the Red & Black one last time. Its a tough dilemma for the coaches. Especially as we've got Francis occupying a spot who whilst respectable isn't setting the world on fire up forward.

I think its just the feels getting the best of me but I'd name him against Collingwood. He wouldn't let us down.

I would play him as the sub.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Been a quality player at both ends of the ground. He was underrated by the wider footballing community IMO.

 

[JT_the_Man]

Fairytale ending looking unlikely, not selected this week.

My head knows it’s the right call but my heart doesn’t like it.

 

[Mercurial89]

Cupido4lyfe Please do a Hooker tribute video. You're the only one worthy.

Answered

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

Answered

Every time he smiled I shed a tear, FYI my dog just floated away

 

[boncer34]

Fairytale ending looking unlikely, not selected this week.

My head knows it’s the right call but my heart doesn’t like it.

Big game coming up in 5 weeks. Cale will be cherry ripe.

 

[Knighta21]

Thanks Cupido4lyfe
I admit I shed a tear, great video. Love the little north head ruffle inclusion! haha

 

[ghostdog]

Answered

Thought I was all cried out. Cheers C4L.
Hooker was a better defender than both Buddy and JBrown, as well as a more than capable tall forward.

 

[donlav99]

Answered

i'm not crying, you are.

 

[Lore]

Hooker reflects on retirement call

Cale Hooker speaks to Dons Digital after calling time on his 219-game career.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Interview for the club website, love the bit at the end where he's talking directly to the fans. He'll leave a big hole behind I reckon

 

[windyhill]

Answered

* me. I teared up after that. He actually “got” it Hooky, actually got it. I’m on that video btw after the gws goal he kicked. Great Essendon man.

 

[Summer Nights]

Miss him already.

 

[Lore]

"VFL" update. Worked hard, great attitude, kicked 3, very windy.

Despite announcing his retirement last week, Hooker could add to his 219 games should the Bombers opt to call on the veteran in their upcoming finals series.

The 32-year-old, who has booted 33 goals this season, looked dangerous against the Giants and looms as a tall option for the Bombers after young forward Harrison Jones was ruled out for the rest of the season.

"'Hooksy' kicked three and was a good target for us. It was probably just a tiny bit easier for forwards with only five backs down there, so they were able to find more space," Tudor said.

"He had a great attitude, worked pretty hard and got some good results. He did everything he needed to.

"All the three boys got through the game well. It was a tough game to play as it was really, really windy. It was a high-standard game and the GWS boys had a real crack. It was good to watch again."

Selection squeeze looms as trio impress

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Jye Caldwell and Cale Hooker performed strongly in a scratch match against the Giants on Sunday.

www.essendonfc.com.au