Essendon veteran Cale Hooker’s future in the game is unclear.
The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and his form in recent weeks has fallen away after a bright start to 2021.
Bombers coach Ben Rutten admitted on Wednesday that there is no certainty regarding a new deal for Hooker who has kicked 32 goals in 17 games this season to lead the way alongside Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
Hooker has played in a forward line next to youngster Harrison Jones and new recruit Peter Wright and that influence has been noted by Rutten.
“There’s probably not certainty about it just yet, but there’s certainly been good conversation and good dialogue with Cale throughout the whole year as I am with a lot of players,” Rutten said.
“I think Cale’s been playing a really important role for us throughout this season. It’s a big decision for both parties to be able to continue on and we’ll make sure we do what’s best for him and the footy club.
“We’re certainly having conversations all the time about it and about how Cale’s going and where we’re going as a club so that communication is happening all the time.
“We’re probably not going to come to a definitive conclusion just now but that’ll work itself out as the season goes on.”
As a result of those comments, former Bombers skipper Tim Watson discussed with Garry Lyon on SEN Breakfast the future of Hooker at Tullamarine.
Watson said: “It’s a big five weeks for him, isn’t it?
“If he’s playing now for his football future, it’s a big, big time for him. He desperately wants to go on and play.”
Lyon says it is not an uncommon situation for the 218-game former defender to be holding talks with his club as his career moves into its twilight.
“We’re getting this a bit more from clubs,” he said.
“(Adelaide coach) Matthew Nicks has said the same thing about Daniel Talia and Tom Lynch.
“They know exactly where they’re at. They’re saying, ‘It’s a big five weeks for you, Tom. You play to the level you think you can, then yeah, the contract may well be there’.
“I like that honesty. I’m sure those conversations have been had all the time.
“I heard (West Coast’s) Adam Simpson last night say about Josh Kennedy, ‘We’re going to leave that up to him, because right now with five weeks to go we can’t tell you that definitively’. Or he can’t tell you definitively if he wants to go on.
“So I think those conversations are being had all around the competition.”
Lyon asked Watson if he believes Hooker will go on in 2022.
“He hasn’t had a great season,” replied Watson.
“I think it depends largely upon where they believe some of those other young developing players might be at in six months’ time.”
Lyon added: “It looks like he’s come to the end of his career, to me, when I’m watching him play.
“I say that with absolute respect because he’s been such a terrific servant and he’s playing a role he probably didn’t think he had to.
“If they can see the development of one the younger kids or they can attract someone who can play that role then it probably makes that decision even easier.”
Hooker was in fine form earlier in 2021, returning 29 goals in 12 matches, but has kicked just three majors and had just 20 kicks in the last five rounds.
