Cale Hooker’s re-signing a game-changer for Essendon with bright future ahead

CALE Hooker for the next five years or the No.2 draft pick? It would be a difficult decision at 17 clubs but not Essendon. SEE OUR PREDICTED 2017 LINE-UP.

CALE Hooker for the next five years or the No.2 draft pick as free agency compensation?

It would be a difficult decision at 17 clubs, which would have had to meticulously weigh up the merit of both scenarios.

But not at Essendon. The Bombers are unique, still navigating the stickiest situation any club has seen in the game’s history.

SEE SAM LANDSBERGER’S PREDICTED 2017 LINE-UP BELOW AND VOTE ON WHETHER YOU THINK THE BOMBERS CAN MAKE THE FINALS

The instability sstemming from the drugs disaster made it crucial the Bombers retain their popular All-Australian defender.

Dyson Heppell is expected to return to Essendon, possibly as captain. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Hooker is a likeable, quality person — highlighted by his phone call to Fremantle coach Ross Lyon on Tuesday night to break the news that he had rejected the Dockers’ generous offer.

The other banned Bombers now know that should they step inside the Tullamarine headquarters again, they’ll do so alongside a close mate.

Hooker’s decision to commit long term has generated energy that will charge the Bombers and has changed the tone of the conversation.

Suddenly, the focus is on the rainbow emerging and not the dark clouds dominating above and behind the club.

It cannot be compared to James Frawley, whose departure from Melbourne handed the Demons pick No.3 (Angus Brayshaw).

Hooker’s talent is unquestionable, which is why the Dockers, Hawthorn and North Melbourne chased him hard. His place in the 2017 line-up gives Essendon not only a star backman or another much-needed avenue to goal, but also an off-field pillar.

“His (signature) was essential. It brings stability to a group that has clearly been unstable for some time,” list expert Chris Pelchen said yesterday.

The compensation pick would have added a top midfielder, but the high-end talent in this year’s draft isn’t thought to be as strong as in recent drafts.

Sam Landsberger’s predicted Essendon line-up in 2017.

When Essendon closed the door on coach James Hird last year, he predicted the Bombers would fly up the ladder again from 2018.

Hird was genuinely bullish about what the Dons were building and that was before he knew they would secure a beauty in midfielder Darcy Parish, who headlined the club’s draft bonanza last year.

Suddenly, the focus is on the rainbow emerging ahead and not the dark clouds.

That was also before the WADA wipeout of 12 players and the ensuing likelihood that the Bombers will finish bottom of the ladder this season and have the No.1 selection in the national draft and the added ability to lure a star player from another club through the pre-season draft.

That was also before it was known premiership coach John Worsfold could use this season to fast-track development, an outcome Pelchen said would “in a bizarre way” greatly benefit the Bombers in the long run.

Worsfold has highlighted how beneficial it is for Parish to rub shoulders with opposition superstars and the same goes for Orazio Fantasia, Marty Gleeson and hopefully last year’s No.6 draft selection Aaron Francis, when he is over his calf injury.

Zach Merrett has been a draft success for Essendon. Picture: Colleen Petch

Would Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have ever got his chance without the bans?

“Their list is taking shape quite well. I believe in 4-6 years they will be a top-four contender,” Pelchen said.

“The spine is healthy. The challenge has been in the midfield — they still need another 2-3 outstanding players to be developed in the midfield.”

A look at the 2017 list sparks genuine excitement. The list will be deep. Try picking an interchange bench from the line-up below, which didn’t include Mason Redman, Alex Morgan, Jason Ashby or Jake Long, who insiders like.

Pelchen credited gun recruiter Adrian Dodoro and his team for not losing focus amid draft sanctions and unrelenting contractual hurdles.

The AFL stripped Dodoro of three early picks yet in 2014 he found the tall utilities the list craved in Kyle Langford and Jayden Laverde.

In 2013, Dodoro didn’t have a top-five pick but he found a top-five talent in Zach Merrett and then stole Orazio Fantasia late.

He struck a shrewd trade for Jake Carlisle, beat Sydney to Matthew Leuenberger for no cost to end a desperate search for a ruckman and will beef up the A-grade midfield stocks in this year’s draft.

It is little wonder Hooker wants to stick around and Worsfold said this month he wanted to coach the club well beyond his three-year deal.

If the skies ever completely clear, they will have some fun in the sun.

Originally published as Cale Hooker’s re-signing a game-changer for Essendon with bright future ahead