For many Bombers fans, the most polarising issue this season has been where to play Cale Hooker.
Many fans are calling for him to be moved back into defence, where he was All-Australian in 2014.
The forward experiment began in 2015, where he kicked 21 goals, after a switch forward halfway through the season. This year, Hooker has played almost exclusively up forward, with the exception of Round 8 against the Cats.
Round 8 saw James Stewart kick three goals, freeing up Hooker to play in defence, where he spent 59 per cent of the game, having spent 71.3 per cent of average game time in the forward half so far this season.
However, with Stewart failing to have an impact in the last two weeks, Hooker has remained up forward and been somewhat ineffectual, culminating in a miserly Dreamtime game, where he went goalless for the second time this season. He has kicked 16 goals so far, at an average of 1.6 per game. John Worsfold has shown he will persist with this experiment for the time being, but when will it be enough?
(AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)
For me, the experiment has seen mixed success. Round 1 against the Hawks was a resounding success for Hooker, kicking three goals and arguably looking the most potent forward.
However, as Joe Daniher has lifted this season, Hooker has dropped off. Indeed, when compared to Round 14-22 2015 (the game against St Kilda is accepted as his first foray forward), Hooker is averaging 1.3 marks less per game this year (7.1 versus 5.8).
Hooker has had a couple of standout games, with three goals against both Hawthorn and Collingwood, but is struggling when faced with a quality defender, most notably against Adelaide where he only registered eight disposals.
At this point, it needs to be noted that Hooker provides something that Daniher lacked for all of 2015, and indeed for much his career – a decoy. With Daniher freed to roam up the ground, as well as engage in one on one encounters, Daniher is taking more marks and kicking more goals this year.
It’s easy to dismiss Hooker based off his statistical performances, but until Stewart finds his feet at AFL level, Hooker is not the worst option to prevent a double team on Daniher.
While the Hooker experiment may be one that’s up for debate, it is also pertinent to note that with the exception of Hurley and Heppell, the other returning Bombers have started slowly. It would be fairer to judge Hooker at the end of the season, but his performances in the last two weeks have seen him come under intense scrutiny.
Ideally, Essendon would be playing him in defence, but having averaged two goals a game in his stint forward in 2015, the signs are there, even if the results aren’t as forthcoming.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
How are his supercoach statistics though, that is the greater question?
Aransan
Guest
When Hurley was moved to the backline there were calls to move him back forward because of our inability to score. Essendon were wise to persist with him back and without that consistency he would not have become an All-Australian. Hooker needs to be given a good go on the forward line so he can learn and gain confidence in that craft. A few minutes here and there on the backline are OK when they are under siege. I am wondering if Stewart will be dropped this week with Leuenberger coming back into the side to give us two ruckmen against Mumford.
Ben Madden
Roar Rookie
Richmond missed about 3-4 sitters at least - the scoreline definitely flatters us. Agree about Ambrose though. The midfield is a discussion for another article, but I would like to see Hocking in to see how he goes giving us more grunt.
Ian
Guest
Richmond had twice as many inside 50s as Essendon. but only won by 15 points - the defense is holding up quite well. Ambrose returning is an upgrade on Hartley as a defender as well. Maybe against a team like GWS with their three tall forwards Hooker back is a good idea, but in general, the defense is fine. There are other problems Essendon needs to address (Transition from Kickouts/Half back and the midfield) before you worry too much about Hooker playing back.
Ben Madden
Roar Rookie
True. However, we're still getting caught out in defence on occasion. We need someone that can replace Hooker when he needs to swing back, because I don't know if Stewart will be able to in the long run. I hope so though.
Ben Madden
Roar Rookie
Fair call mate. I still think Hooker needs to play defence because we're getting scored too easily against, but I think that will come once we work out the best permanent fix to play that 2nd forward. Our forward line is looking good this year, but we still struggle to score in patches. Definitely the best it's looked in a while.
DH
Guest
Two goals a game for your second big forward is a great return. Stewart is able to have any influence because Hooker is there. You have to take the forward line as a whole, not just look at individuals. The Essendon forward line is on fire. If it means Hooker is mostly decoy and doesn't get a lot of it while Daniher and crumbers kick bags, that's how it must be. He's had one or two bad games, but most big forwards have quiet games, it's par for the course.
Ian
Guest
He had a poor dreamtime, but that game was lost because of Essendon's poor disposal out of defense and Richmond's pressure on those moves out of defense. The forward line of Essendon is functioning quite well with the limited entries, in part because Hooker draws a key defender, meaning Daniher is no longer getting double-teamed. Also, because of his strength, he rarely gets outmarked, meaning that he brings the small forwards into the game - Fantasia, Tipungwuti and Green have all benefitted from the contests Hooker has created. He needs to stay forward for mine.