Cale Hooker re-signs with Essendon Bombers

CEO Xavier Campbell told the Bombers' website that Hooker's decision to stay was a major vote of confidence in the direction of the club. "I'm thrilled to announce Cale has signed on as a Bomber for the next five years," Campbell said.

"Cale was a free agent and he turned down a number of enticing offers from opposition clubs because he believes in the direction of our football club."

Fremantle was understood to have offered the West Australian swingman a lucrative deal to switch clubs at the end of the year, but he instead joined Heath Hocking and Travis Colyer in re-committing to Essendon.

After the announcement, Campbell used social media to say how glad he was to have Hooker remain at the club.

"Not many more satisfying moments than hearing Hooksy say late yesterday that he was re-commiting. Terrific person, absolute leader," he wrote.

Hooker is one of a dozen players Essendon players serving a season-long ban for their involvement in the club's 2012 supplements program.

Club officials say they want all 12 to return to the club and the players have been spotted training together.

But many appear to be keeping their options open, remaining tight-lipped about whether they will return to football at all, and if so whether it will be at Essendon.

Captain Jobe Watson was widely understood to be feeling burnt out by the end of last year and is one of those who appears uncertain about his own future.

Twenty-two former Bombers players are also serving a ban from the sport - some have moved to other clubs or into coaching roles, others have left football altogether.