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

 

[yaco55]

Carlisle was on Tomlinson. Hooker was on Patton. For some reason GWS played Patton up the ground.Last week Patton played closer to goal.

 

[Loonerty]

Hooker was definitely on Patton, Carlisle took Tomlinson.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2014-06-11/hooker-celebrates-a-hundred

Hooker set to celebrate 100

 

[Doss]

Cale has become one of my favourite players. No fuss, gets the job done every week, and has battled a lot of injury and a lot of criticism.

He is 'Essendon'.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Yet another obvious example of why writing a player off early in their career is ****ing dumb.

 

[Doss]

Yet another obvious example of why writing a player off early in their career is ******* dumb.

People never learn, though.

 

[Bomberblitzer]

Yet another obvious example of why writing a player off early in their career is ******* dumb.

Also considering his age, he's only just entering his prime. He has 5+ years of very good football left in him.

 

[FedEXFalls]

Ahh the days when he would trail 5 meters behind his opponent then chuck fit after fit at himself when they took easy marks.

A distant memory.

Good on you Cale. Stuck it up all of us who have had our doubts.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/es...s-best-defenders/story-fndv8f7j-1226951125227

I like the fact that he hates seeing that footage of him chasing Buddy which he used as fuel to become the player he is now.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

 

[Doss]

And then there's Bootsma.

 

[Bomberblitzer]

Mods please card him.

 

[Can Opener]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/es...s-best-defenders/story-fndv8f7j-1226951125227

Good article of hooker

 

[Old Campaigner]

And then there's Bootsma.

Look, there are exceptions OK.

 

[Stopher]

Scary as it is, that post above needs more love. Brilliant!

 

[Whispering_Jack]

I am just curious as to what bookmarks fodzilla blurred out

 

[Bomberblitzer]

Absolute gun player. Remained extremely loyal to the club even when things weren't going his way, and imo will deservedly win our B&F (and an AA selection) going on current form.

 

[Pweter]

The year on year improvement in Cale has been extraordinary. Every year he seems to be doing something better.

He will be talked about very favourably by the Essendon faithful upon his retirement, and deservedly so.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

always been a fan *preens*

 

[rines]

Did anyone write him off? I thought early on it was a race between Hooker and Pears for a spot, and early days Pears was ahead but then injuries struck and it has never been an issue since.

The only knock on Hooker was his disposal, which let him down a lot.. he has improved that dramatically to become one of the best defenders in the comp.

Certainly last year he and Carlisle were the best 2 back combo in the AFL for the first 16 rounds.. and a large factor why we were sitting in the top 4.

The trade talk to WA was the 'go home factor' and IF the right trade was offered. I don't think anyone wanted to get rid of him for free... and there is still valid argument to be made that IF we were able to secure an elite level mid or key forward.. we would have Carlisle and Hurley back and work around.. so may not have killed us. Personally I am more than happy we kept him and he has repaid the faith this year.

Great player and well done on 100 games.. may the next 200 be even better.

 

[Kong]

Yep, I've rated him from early on, and defended him.

An argument against him was that he only played well when the side did; well he's still played really well even when we've played like horseshit this year.

 

[rines]

Yep, I've rated him from early on, and defended him.

An argument against him was that he only played well when the side did; well he's still played really well even when we've played like horseshit this year.

Its amazing how much better defenders look when the midfield isn't giving up crazy free ball through the middle!

 

[JDavey]

Also considering his age, he's only just entering his prime. He has 5+ years of very good football left in him.

Even crazier when you consider that Hibberd, Carlisle and Hurls are all 25 and under as well.... our Defense should be good for years to come.

 

[Bomberblitzer]

Even crazier when you consider that Hibberd, Carlisle and Hurls are all 25 and under as well.... our Defense should be good for years to come.

Chuck Fletcher in there too.

 

[yaco55]

I remember Hooker's first or second game in his first season 2007. Got ripped up by Mitch Hahn. Has come a long way since then.