Hooker ruled out of Bombers' AFL opener

Essendon will be without swingman Cale Hooker for their AFL season opener against GWS after he suffered a calf strain in training.

Essendon swingman Cale Hooker will miss the start of the AFL season due to a calf strain.

Hooker will be sidelined for four to six weeks, ruling him out for the Bombers' round-one clash with GWS at Spotless Stadium on March 24.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury setback during training as he prepared to return from a minor hamstring complaint in Essendon's final pre-season clash against Geelong on Thursday night.