EXCLUSIVE: ALL-AUSTRALIAN swingman Cale Hooker has received a lucrative long-term offer from the Fremantle Dockers.

Foxfooty.com.au understands Hooker has been offered a five-year deal to depart Essendon for the Dockers for the 2017 season.

The 27-year-old is one of the game’s prized free agents in 2016 and is likely to carry restricted status.

Hooker is currently serving a year-long suspension as one of the 34 past and present Essendon players found guilty of doping offences.

Round 18

Fremantle has adjusted its recruiting philosophy to focus on home-grown talent and Hooker fits the club’s recruiting model on two fronts.

He is from Western Australia and he plays in the key positions where the Dockers have major holes, with Matthew Pavlich likely to be in his final season and Luke McPharlin already in retirement.

Essendon would have the opportunity to match a Fremantle bid if he is classified as a restricted free agent. But the offer is expected to be large enough that it would earn Essendon a first-round compensation pick.

If, as expected, the Bombers finish near the bottom of the ladder in 2016, the compensation selection would be as high as pick No.2 or 3.

Hypothetically, this could leave the club with the first two picks in November’s national draft.

Hooker could alternatively be classified as an unrestricted free agent given his current contract at Essendon. This is yet to be confirmed by the AFL.

Unrestricted free agents fall outside the top 25 per cent of player payments within their club.

Hooker has played 133 games with the Bombers after he was selected with pick No.54 in the 2007 national draft.

He was rated elite by Champion Data for general defenders in disposals, uncontested possessions and marks in season 2016.