CALE Hooker admits his eighth career goal was a bit of a mongrel, but it could well prove to be a pivotal moment in Essendon's season 

The defender's goal inside the last minute of a frantic final term at the MCG proved to be the match-winner against Hawthorn, but he acknowledged it involved a fair element of good fortune. 

"When I kicked it I knew it was going through, but it was probably a little bit lucky - it was a bit of an inside-out torp," Hooker said.

"It was a nice feeling to kick a goal - I haven't kicked too many."

James Hird revealed that it was no fluke that Hooker found himself inside attacking 50 with the game on the line, with the Bombers often practising such a scenario.

But while his match-winner grabbed the headlines, Hooker paid tribute to the resilience and determination of his teammates in Essendon's first win of the season. 

"That last two or three minutes there were about 20 efforts by guys through the team," he said.

"It wasn't just my goal that got us over the line - it was the guys doing smothers and tackles at the end that got us the game as well."

 Hooker is confident the two-point win will do wonders for the Bombers' self-belief after a tough pre-season where a large group of players sat out the NAB Challenge awaiting the outcome of the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal.

"It was definitely a challenge because we didn't know when we could play footy," he said.

"Now to be able to get into the season and put two good performances together ... it's a really good feeling and I think the boys are really enjoying their footy again.

"I think to show that heart at the end - it really does help our belief. We know we're a good side and we can match it with the best."