BREAKING: West Coast Eagles veteran Dana Hooker has officially announced her retirement from the AFLW after a groundbreaking season that saw the club reach its first finals match. Hooker, 34, concluded her illustrious career following a 41-point defeat to the Carlton Blues at Ikon Park on July 15, 2023, leaving her feeling fulfilled and proud.
In an emotional farewell, Hooker expressed her satisfaction with her career, emphasizing that missing the finals would have left a void. “If we don’t make finals, I won’t be content,” she had told her teammates earlier this season. “So to have come from where we’ve come from and built through some of those challenging earlier years, then to come out the other side and bring Daisy in and develop this young group, make a final and turn the narrative for this team, it does help me feel content with walking away now.”
Hooker’s retirement marks the end of a 67-game career that began with the Fremantle Dockers, where she won a best-and-fairest award before moving to the West Coast Eagles. She returned to the field after a season away for maternity leave, and her final game was a historic moment for the club. “To run out with the team and play a finals game feels really special,” Hooker added.
The Eagles had a dramatic season, narrowly securing a spot in the top eight after Sydney’s unexpected loss allowed them to play in the finals. Despite the disappointing finale against Carlton, Hooker reflected on the positives: “I’m proud of the team and the efforts of making history for the club.”
In her farewell, Hooker highlighted the promising future for the Eagles, praising the talent of the younger players. “Charlotte Riggs really showed what her potential is,” Hooker noted, pointing to the player’s versatility and competitive spirit. “She’s a real presence, and she will be one to watch moving forward.”
As she steps away from the game, Hooker is considering coaching and even running a marathon, but she stresses the importance of family time before making any decisions. “I think there’s like lots of different pivotal moments throughout your career that feel bloody good,” she reflected, recalling her memorable experiences with the Eagles.
Hooker’s departure leaves a significant gap for the club, but her legacy will inspire future generations of players. “The best teams in the comp have really good tall bookends,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of developing key position players. “We’ve got some height. We’ve got some girls that have the potential to do that for us.”
As the Eagles look ahead, they aim to build on the foundation laid by Hooker and her teammates, with fans eager to see how the team evolves in the coming seasons. The club’s journey continues, but the impact of Dana Hooker’s career will resonate long after her departure.
