Hooker has potential to be an excellent value pick

[Burzum]

Hooker has potential to be an excellent value pick
Monday, 26 November 2007

Time will tell, but 195.8cm, Cale Hooker, could end up proving a steal for the Bombers who picked up the Perth local in Saturday's draft with pick 54 (Essendon' last pick).

Hooker recorded times of 2.88 seconds for the 20m sprint and 7.94 seconds for the agility run in testing - times which place him in the upper echelon of the 64 draftees from Saturday.

List Manager Adrian Dodoro said he thought Hooker was worth the punt given his exceptional speed and agility for someone so tall.

"For a key position player he has some very good attributes including being a strong mark," Dodoro said.

Hooker - a centre half back who has also played centre half forward and even on the wing - said it was extremely exciting when his name was read out.

"I was at home in Perth watching on the computer with my parents - I didn't expect to get drafted but I was hoping to get picked up. I am a more excited than nervous but still a little bit nervous," Hooker said.

"I was a bit of a Fremantle supporter but I think Essendon is a fantastic club and it looks like it will be an exciting time to be there.

"It will be great to learn off key position guys like Lloyd and Lucas but I am sure I can learn something off all the guys.

"I have heard a lot of good things about Matthew Knight in the media and around the traps so I am looking forward to playing for him too."

Western Australian recruits were the order of the day for the Bombers and filled three of Essendon's four selections.

Hooker is one of 15 players drafted from Western Australia and one of five drafted from East Fremantle (Chris Masten, Phys Palmer, Harry Taylor and Bradd Dalziell).

Hooker, who turned 19 on the 13th October 2007, will arrive in Melbourne tomorrow for the first time.

A former promising opening batsmen he is looking forward to building up his body and getting super fit.

"Last year in pre-season I had glandular fever and lost 12kg. I pretty much had no fitness and I was in bed sleeping all the time." he said.

"It took me a good two months to get over it so I missed the pre-season and started the year in East Fremantle's colts side but finished in the reserves."

Hooker played centre-half back in the reserves grand final, which they narrowly lost, but had a good game collecting over 20 pocessions and keeping his opponent quiet.

"I feel like I am back to full strength now and hopefully I can keep improving," he said.

While it is always hard for players to make the move to a new State, Hooker has played against David Myers (who he describes as a "smart player who uses the ball well") in colts and also knows Paddy Ryder from his East Fremantle days.

Hooker's 2007 East Fremantle reserves coach, David Johnson, says he is very confident the Bomber recruit will play AFL.

“He’s very raw and has been hampered through injury and illness but there is no doubt he would have played league footy for us if he had gone through the pre-season,” Johnson said.

“His grand final performance was outstanding for a bloke his age.

“He is an exciting key position player. He has terrific hands and is a very good contested mark. He backs himself frequently and is prepared to run and carry the ball. His agility for someone 196cm tall is exceptional.”

http://essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5483

 

[monty1104]

To me, this looks like another case of picking up someone on athletic ability rather than football ability. I hope im wrong though.

 

[Burzum]

Here's his picture:

 

[Slattery_20]

Cheap Hooker!

 

[dave_27]

We'll wait and see how he goes obviously but everything we've read about him so far has not mentioned his disposal or decision making at all.

That doesnt fill me with confidence especially the constant "athletic" comments.

 

[GoDons]

To me, this looks like another case of picking up someone on athletic ability rather than football ability. I hope im wrong though.

To tell you the truth, at pick 54, it was probably unlikely that we were going to get someone that we'd identified as having good football ability that would actually be able to convert that to the AFL stage.

We took a gamble on a guy with some good attributes that could go some distance at AFL level, rather than a guy who'll dominate for Bendigo but just won't be quite good enough for AFL.

I don't think we could've asked for much more at pick 54. We were never going to grabbing a particularly highly rated kid.

 

[Daytripper]

If he plays more than 20 games for us in his career it will be a bonus.

 

[Ari]

To tell you the truth, at pick 54, it was probably unlikely that we were going to get someone that we'd identified as having good football ability that would actually be able to convert that to the AFL stage.

We took a gamble on a guy with some good attributes that could go some distance at AFL level, rather than a guy who'll dominate for Bendigo but just won't be quite good enough for AFL.

I don't think we could've asked for much more at pick 54. We were never going to grabbing a particularly highly rated kid.

Very well said!

I think he will be okay just quietly. But I guess everyone is blowing their load with their picks this time of year. Shall just wait it out and see what happens.

At least he's 19 though so a little older than a few others drafted which means he might come on quicker. This kid just might surprise a few I reckon.

 

[Slattery_20]

To me, this looks like another case of picking up someone on athletic ability rather than football ability. I hope im wrong though.

He was pick 54
I worry about what some people expect at this sort of pick

 

[Ari]

He was pick 54
I worry about what some people expect at this sort of pick

.....a player 20odd picks better than James Hird?

 

[FootyGuru]

hooker sounds similar attributes to geartner with his height speed and agility, but ouviously essendon sees more improvement with his skills because geartner wasnt picked up. if that makes sense

 

[Slattery_20]

.....a player 20odd picks better than James Hird?

or 50 picks worse than Bolton

 

[Burzum]

or 50 picks worse than Bolton

Or 51 better than Chris Grant.

 

[bombersrbest05]

you never know with football player some players step up an notch when the pressure is on some dont look at westoff he was a low pick and he is looking like he could play over 100 games

 

[Can Opener]

or 50 picks worse than Bolton

how many career games did bolton play??

 

[Amazing Bombers]

how many career games did bolton play??

124.

 

[silk]

124.

Good, enough to secure Bolton Jnr

 

[acursi08]

To tell you the truth, at pick 54, it was probably unlikely that we were going to get someone that we'd identified as having good football ability that would actually be able to convert that to the AFL stage.

We took a gamble on a guy with some good attributes that could go some distance at AFL level, rather than a guy who'll dominate for Bendigo but just won't be quite good enough for AFL.

I don't think we could've asked for much more at pick 54. We were never going to grabbing a particularly highly rated kid.

Especially in a weak draft.

So if Hooker makes it at AFL level I would think that we did extremely well with this pick.

 

[Ari]

Good, enough to secure Bolton Jnr

.....NOT AGAIN!!!

 

[Pevers-Legend]

how many career games did bolton play??

too many!!

 

[Big Blow Hard]

Can we just bring Bolton back to play in the Sydney games.

 

[Kong]

yeah i'm not too shattered, especially after richmond stole putt right from under our noses.. we had to act quickly. it's not like we're going to be short for KPP players in the future, anyway.

 

[TheDon35]

yeah i'm not too shattered, especially after richmond stole putt right from under our noses.. we had to act quickly. it's not like we're going to be short for KPP players in the future, anyway.

Is there any footage of him?