Cale Hooker says the hunger within the Essendon playing group is at a level he hasn’t seen before.

The 2015 Crichton Medal winner was named as the Club’s Vice-Captain for the 2017 season earlier this week.

He’s returning after missing last year but said he’s been impressed by the attitude on the training track.

“I’ve never seen the group so hungry as they are at the moment,” Hooker told SEN.

“We’ve obviously got the talent, but the hunger is just as important.

“I think that could be one of the things that comes out of the year off – the hunger in the whole football club, the staff and the players – that could be the edge that we need.”

Hooker is one of seven Bombers named in the leadership group.

Dyson Heppell will Captain the side, with Zach Merrett named Vice-Captain alongside Hooker.

“It’s probably something I haven’t really aspired to [an official leadership position], I’ve always just been focused on trying to get a game, build my career and help the team,” Hooker said.

“This has sort of evolved later and it’s exciting to have a bit of extra responsibility and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

After earning All-Australian selection as a defender in 2014, Hooker moved forward midway through 2015 and that looks set to continue this season.

“I’ve been looking to get some good chemistry with Joe Daniher and the other forwards,” Hooker said.

“We’re building on that and the exciting thing is we’re building on our chemistry as a team and we’ve made a lot of good steps already but throughout the season it’s not just going to be hit or miss in round one – we’re going to be building throughout the season.

“We’ll become a better team as the year goes on.”