Essendon veteran Cale Hooker says a post-season conversation with senior coach Ben Rutten has helped him achieve better training consistency and a lighter playing weight.
The 32-year-old has garnered praises for his off-season body transformation, with Bombers head of high performance Sean Murphy labelling Hooker as a “completely different athlete” in the latest episode of the club's docuseries The Road to 2021.
As he looks to add to his 201 games, Hooker believes his post-season chat with Rutten has helped him set clear directions for making the most of the upcoming season.
“I had a couple of weeks back home in WA at the vineyard and had a couple of weeks of rest at the end of the season (before) working really hard and training as hard as I can, and I’ve lost five or six kilograms,” Hooker said.
“I sat down with 'Truck' (Rutten) at the end of the year and we outlined some clear parameters for me.
“That was really good because it gave me some clear direction and it’s been nice to get the work in and I’m focusing on that consistency to keep on getting the work in up until the (start of the) season.”
After enduring an injury-affected 2020 season, Hooker is poised to enter his 14th year in the red and black injury free.
He said the free run at a full pre-season had helped push his training standards, while also allowing him to become a strong influence to the rest of the playing group.
“It’s pre-season number 14 for me and I’ve been fortunate enough this year to have no injuries heading into the pre-season and being able to do all the work,” he said.
“I’ve been loving getting out there and pushing the guys along and pushing myself to try and be the best influence I can be out there.”
With fellow Bombers forwards James Stewart, Ned Cahill and Jayden Laverde switching positions and training as backs this pre-season, many externally have commented on the potential for Hooker to become a more regular forward option.
But Hooker believes his best football will be played in the backline, with his pre-season preparations suggesting he'll be a pillar of Essendon’s defence once again.
“I’ve been able to get a lot in and work with the guys and work closely with 'Gia' (Daniel Giansiracusa), who’s our backs coach, and Dan Jordan our key-position coach,” he said.
“(It’s been good) to jell with them with, working on the way we want to play this year and working with the other guys and building my chemistry with them down back.”
