The No. 1 selection was read out at about 10am on the eastern seaboard and the time difference made for an early start for an East Fremantle youngster way out west.

The tension was palpable - one by one the names were read out and Hooker was missed 53 times.

The 54th selection was read out and his childhood dream had become a reality.

"I knew there was a chance but I didn't expect to go," he reflected on his draft experience.

"You're very nervous because there's a few different scenarios running through your mind.

"It was very exciting when my name was read out. I was so happy - I couldn't stop smiling."

Hooker managed to play two games in his rookie year.

The Bombers were thrashed in both and he learned a lot of valuable lessons.

"It showed me where I was at," the Ascot Vale resident and house mate of Angus Monfries said. "I had to get fitter and stronger."

Last season, Hooker was one of the surprise packets at Bomberland.

He used the knowledge gained from his first two games to become almost a permanent figure in a youth-driven backline and came face-to-face with superstars such as Lance Franklin and Nick Riewoldt.

He was also a member of the Bombers elimination final team, which was hammered by the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium.

"That was a bonus for me. For the team to make the finals and play in it was a great experience."

Hooker is adament that he and his teammates will show no lingering negative affects from that fateful trip to the City of Churches.

He told Community News - at the Bombers membership drive day where the club unveiled its hot new 'This is Essendon' commercial stating its aim of breaking 45,000 members in 2010 - there was a sense of anticipation for consecutive finals pushes under coach Matthew Knights.

"During the off-season, you get eight weeks off so I went home for five or six weeks. You need to mental break from football but still need to be ready for day one and all the testing the club put you through.

"The mood since I've been back is upbeat - everyone is energetic and enthusiastic."