While Cale Hooker’s standout performance against Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon was a surprise too a lot of the football world it was not a shock to coach James Hird.

The key defender collected his career high 30 disposals and 13 marks on Sunday, displaying his vast improvement over the last few seasons.

Hooker set up the Bombers attack out of defence against the Power taking 8 intercept marks and 5 rebounds from defensive 50.

“He is a vastly improved player Cale and has been improving every year,” Hird said.

“The confidence to leave his man and beat his man at the right time then use the ball well probably hasn’t been there before this year.”

Hooker is one of the leading intercept marks in the competition and combine with his ability to use the ball by hand or footy has become a dangerous proposition for opposition forward lines.

“I have been happy with my form this year, I am still looking to improve but I am feeling really confident,” Hooker told BomberTV.

“The boys in the midfield have been really good at putting a lot of pressure on and making it easier for the defenders to take marks and turn the ball over.”

“I don’t really count my touches but I was just happy my man wasn’t getting the ball.”

Hird praised the hard work of Hooker to develop his skills to a high standard over the last two seasons.

“Cale has spent a lot of time with Sean Wellman over the last few years getting his game to a point where his ball use is a lot better,” Hird said.

“He is a really dangerous player for us because he wins back the ball and we can attack off the back of his intercept marks.”