Lauderdale forward Cam Hooker on jump from SFL to TSL amid local footy debate

A Lauderdale forward has spoken on making the jump from SFL to TSL footy following a six-goal performance in round three.

Lauderdale forward Cam Hooker looks to get a kick away during the Tasmanian State League round two clash against North Launceston. Picture: Linda Higginson/Solstice Digital.

Fresh off the best performance of his TSL career, Lauderdale forward Cam Hooker believes many outside the inner circle don’t understand the step up in standards from state league to local footy programs.

The former Dodges Ferry captain in the Southern Football League made his return to the Lauderdale this season and was named best on ground in the Bombers 88-point win over Glenorchy, finishing with 17 disposals, nine marks and six goals.

Cam Hooker made the jump to the TSL this season following a long stint as captain of SFL club Dodges Ferry. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With debate around what the makeup of Tasmanian football should look like beyond this season, Hooker said the difference between the two leagues was a bigger one than many thought but that he was enjoying the change in standards.

“It’s a massive step up,” Hooker said.

“I don’t think people understand what a step up it is in terms of training and the commitment, along with how much quicker (the game) is. There isn’t as much contested ball (as to the SFL). It’s a lot more free-flowing but I’ve really enjoyed the challenge and I’m starting to find my feet.”

Saturday’s performance – in which Hooker received three votes in the Player of the Year award – was the second impressive display from the talented tall after he collected 23 disposals and 10 marks in round two but finished with an inaccurate 3.4 against North Launceston.

After also kicking 1.2 to start the season, Hooker’s accuracy was on point against Glenorchy with his 6.1 effort shifting his goal accuracy from 33 and 42 per cent in the opening two rounds to 85 in round three.

“I think I’ve been lucky with some good space out there and some terrific delivery so I can’t put it all myself because the midfielders have been great working with ‘Flip’ (Andrew Phillips),” Hooker said.

“The next step was to be able to finish off my work so I dug in with the coaches during the week to get my routine down pat and it seemed to work on the weekend.”

Andrew Phillips also joined Lauderdale this season and booted five goals in the win against Glenorchy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Now sitting 1-2 heading into games against winless duo Launceston and North Hobart ahead of a bye, Hooker said the Bombers focus was to continue to stick to their systems no matter the opponent or the makeup of their own line up with plenty of top-end talent currently unavailable due to injury.

“Obviously the first win has come later than we would have liked but the first win is always a good confidence booster,” he said.

“You can fall into bad habits pretty easy and it’s pretty hard to get rid of a bad habit once you fall into it so as long as we are playing the footy we want, that will be the biggest thing the next two weeks. It’s a long season ahead so we want to keep blokes as fresh as possible.

“We have a five-day break coming up so we will no doubt monitor blokes coming into that.”

Cripps Player of the Year Votes – Round 3

North Launceston vs North Hobart

3: Declen Chugg, North Launceston

2: Harry Bayles, North Launceston

1: Tyler McGinniss, North Hobart

Glenorchy vs Lauderdale

3: Cambell Hooker, Lauderdale

2: Andrew Phillips, Lauderdale

1: Haydn Smith, Lauderdale

Clarence vs Launceston

3: Josh Green, Clarence

2: Tom Cleary, Clarence

1: James Bealey, Clarence