Hooker likely to face up to Lions

ESSENDON star Cale Hooker should return from a dislocated finger and replace Shaun McKernan for the Bombers’ home AFL match against Brisbane.

Several other players are pushing for senior recalls but coach John Worsfold said Hooker headed the list as the Bombers learn their lessons from their last-gasp loss to Sydney last Friday night.

Hooker suffered the injury last week in training.

“He should be right – the only minor risk is if he splits the stitches open in training,” Worsfold said.

“Hooker’s the one that, if he’s fit, will come in – most likely at McKernan’s expense, even though we were pleased with what McKernan offered the team.”

Worsfold said Darcy Parish, David Myers, Matthew Leuenberger and Mark Baguley were also making cases for selection.

The Bombers led Sydney by 19 points with less than five minutes to play and Worsfold said they had learned plenty from the disaster.

“The impact we’re looking for is we’re smarter and better in those situations,” he said.