Versatile Bomber Cale Hooker says both he and Essendon are better suited when he lines up in defence.

Hooker is an All-Australian backman, but his ability to swing forward and have an impact on the scoreboard has seen his ideal position become a regular subject of conversation in recent years.

Asked where he expects to lock down a spot in the side this year, Hooker made his opinion clear on Wednesday.

“I’ll have to wait and see a little bit with how the team looks,” Hooker said on Triple M.

“I think I’m more suited as a defender and more suited for the team and what we need as a defender.”

Hooker booted 61 goals in a 30-game period starting midway through the 2015 season and then throughout the 2017 season upon resumption from a year-long suspension, also helping mentor a talented young forward line featuring Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

Occasional stints forward have since followed including crucial stages last year where the powerful Bomber helped save the day to kick the side to victories against Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast in the second half of the season.

But the 31-year-old is now adamant his best position is behind the ball and he impressed in defence in 2019 to claim career-high game averages for marks (7.6), one percenters (6.2), rebound 50s (4.3) and intercept possessions (7.1).

“The reason I went forward a couple of years ago is because we were lacking a bit of firepower down there and to help mentor and provide some experience out on the ground for Joey, ‘Raz’ (Fantasia), ‘Walla’ (McDonald-Tipungwuti) and those sorts of guys.

“Those guys are coming on now where they can hold their own and we’ve added some class with Jake Stringer and Shaun McKernan coming on, so I think I can settle down in the backline.

“All things going well, I’ll be playing good footy down back with those guys and helping set up the team. But if we and the coaches need to throughout the year, they can always throw me forward.”

Hooker is still working his way back from pre-season hip surgery, but the veteran is hopeful of a return in the early weeks of the season.

“I had a hip scope just before Christmas, I played a little bit injured at the end of last year and it probably cost me a little bit this pre-season.

“I won't part playing until the early part of the season, probably in the early few rounds.

“But my body is starting to feel good; I did a 12-kilometre (training) session on Saturday…so I’m starting to feel good and get some momentum.”

A number of other Bombers are pushing hard to return from injury before the team’s round one clash with Fremantle on March 21. The side will next step out on Monday to take on Geelong in the Marsh Community Series in Colac.