The first person Cale Hooker rang with his big AFL news was apparently not his mum, but Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.

It highlights just how hard the Dockers had tried to lure the banned All-Australian key defender from Essendon.

The Bombers confirmed on Wednesday that they re-signed Hooker with a five-year deal that makes him an Essendon player for life.

Of the 12 Essendon players sidelined this season because of doping suspensions, speculation was hottest about what Hooker’s AFL future would be.

He was to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Several clubs were circling the WA native with big offers and Fremantle had dangled particularly rich bait.

Fremantle’s need for a big-name key position player is obvious.

While a five-year deal for a 27-year-old is generous, apparently six-year offers from other clubs were on the table.

But Dockers coach Ross Lyon is not surprised that Hooker is staying.

“He was respectful and rang last night and said he wanted to talk to me before he spoke to his mum,” Lyon said.

“We’ve got a really strong relationship. And does it surprise me (that he’s stayed)? No, because he’s very loyal to his football club.

“He had a number of Melbourne clubs (interested), so I wish him all the best. He’s a really good person.”

Essendon coach John Worsfold admitted relief about Hooker’s retention, given free agency was looming.

“There are always some concerns,” he said.

Their reigning club best-and-fairest winner is the third of the banned players to re-commit, following Heath Hocking and Travis Colyer.

Fellow key position player Michael Hurley reportedly is also close to re-signing.

“It’s great news – a strong reflection on Cale’s personal character and loyalty, but also obviously a strong reflection on his belief in the club and where we are aiming to get ourselves back to,” Worsfold said.

“It’s awesome – it was very clear we wanted him to be at the footy club.

“As we’ve said we’d love to have all 12 back … next year.”

The news is also timely, given their 69-point Anzac Day loss two days ago highlighted the challenges facing the makeshift team for the rest of this season.

But Worsfold said he wants the team to bounce back from the Collingwood loss regardless of re-signing news.

“Everyone is rapt – if I can keep this group up, where we don’t need re-signings to say our morale’s up, that’s my aim,” he said.

“So these things are just a bonus and great news for us all.

“But we’re going to be positive and keep our morale up, regardless.”