Banned Bomber Cale Hooker has told the Herald Sun that he re-signed with Essendon because he wants "to help the club become great again".
Hooker turned down lucrative offers from Fremantle, Hawthorn, Collingwood and North Melbourne, to sign a five-year deal worth a reported $4 million.
“It just felt right to help the club rather than be a person to leave the club," Hooker told the Herald Sun.
“The reason I’m going back to Essendon isn’t out of anger or to prove anyone wrong, it’s just to help the club become great again.
“And if I have kids, if they go to the club, they can be proud of the club.
“To see the supporters ... that Round 2 when 10,000 or 15,000 supporters were marching to the MCG, it was pretty powerful.
“After the (CAS) decision happened, I wanted to take time out and make sure my mind was clear and in the end, I knew what wanted to do.
“I had some very impressive offers from other teams, I wanted to consider them out of respect for them and the opportunity.
“But the best thing for me, my family, the club and the other boys was to come back to Essendon.”
The 27-year-old has played 133 games for the Bombers since making his debut in 2008.
