Former Melbourne champion, Garry Lyon, has questioned Essendon’s Cale Hooker, as the 28-year-old is struggling to adjust in a forward role.

Hooker, who made the 2014 All-Australian team as a defender, has been played in attack to assist Joe Daniher this season. However, the East Fremantle product had a shocking game against Richmond, failing to kick a goal and having just six effective disposals.

Additionally, Hooker dropped a simple mark in the final moments, which led to Toby Nankervis booting the decisive goal for the Tigers.

“What in God’s name is Cale Hooker doing with his football,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.

“A man who is on 800 thousand dollars a year. He is playing forward which may not be his preferred position but he is playing like he has no clue what he is doing.

“He dropped easy marks when it mattered most, his recovery as a forward is negligible, he can’t get back on a loose ball and he is a liability.”

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Four-time Essendon best and fairest winner, Tim Watson, was also critical of Hooker, but acknowledged he is filling a gap in the Bombers’ line-up.

“I have no idea what he is doing,” Watson said of Hooker.

“At the moment they need somebody forward and they believe they have got the bases covered in the backline.”

Exciting 19-year-old forward, Aaron Francis, is an option for Essendon up forward. While Watson says the second year commodity needs to improve on some areas of his game, he believes John Worsfold should be getting games into him.

“I believe there is a question mark about Aaron Francis’ endurance capabilities and his ability to get up and down the ground,” Watson said.

“Where Essendon is at right now, I would be playing this kid. Get games into him. He is going to be a player.

“Francis has been played at VFL level in the midfield and he is a natural footballer, he can find the ball as a midfielder. The advantage for Essendon is to play him as a tall.”

The Bombers will look to get back on the winners list this weekend against GWS.