Key-position Bomber Cale Hooker is eyeing off a return to the senior side this week after recovering well from a calf strain suffered in early March.
Senior coach John Worsfold said Hooker’s availability for selection will depend on how he gets through Tuesday’s main training session ahead of Essendon’s crucial clash with Melbourne on Friday.
“I would guess (he will be) probably available to play, if not this week, the week after,” Worsfold said on Tuesday.
“He’s just got to prove to everyone that he’s right to go by (passing) whatever the requirements are from the medical staff.
“There’s strict protocol they go through to minimise the risk of re-injury, so he’s just got to tick those boxes.”
Hooker’s value for the side is undeniable, with the 2014 All Australian capable of swinging to either end of the ground when needed.
Cale Hooker is among Essendon's most important players.
While thrilled to welcome the versatile 30-year-old back into the line-up when he is ready, Worsfold said he has been satisfied with the performances of Hooker’s fellow talls in his absence during a disappointing opening fortnight to the 2019 season.
“As a team we haven’t played that well so it’s hard to judge on how players are performing when the overall team is not functioning that well.
“In terms of Patty Ambrose and Michael Hurley, I think they’ve both held up pretty strongly in the first couple of rounds.
“Shaun McKernan took four contested marks and competed really well for us on the weekend but missed a couple of shots for goal that he would normally kick. If he kicks those then his performance is probably where you want it to be.
“And Mitch Brown continues to present for us and works really hard.”
Worsfold reinforced his belief that great teams are driven by the playing group, but he said that doesn’t take away from the coaching group.
“We expect to hear from the players and we expect the players to hold themselves accountable,” he said.
“But the coaches are also demanding of the players what we need to see from them as well.
“Pretty much everything I’ve ever read about any great team (says they have) great player leadership and they set the tone – that doesn’t mean coaches don’t coach.
“Great teams have very strong player leadership within them. I think we’ve got an exceptional group of young leaders that are going to continue to grow and be awesome leaders for this footy club for a long time.”
The Demons are also winless from their opening two matches, so there will be plenty on the line when the Bombers get their chance to bounce back at the MCG from 7:50pm on Friday.
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