Essendon key defenders Cale Hooker andTayte Pears have both shown their loyalty to the Bombers by declining offers tobe traded to rival clubs.

There was strong interest for Hooker overthe final 24 hours of the Trade Period from a number of clubs.

Manager Liam Pickering revealed on SENradio on Saturday morning the Bombers were offered selections 25 and 26 inexchange for Hooker from the West Coast.

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro saiddespite the offer the Bombers were determined to retain the 24-year-old.

“Wegot an offer late last night for Cale and to his credit he didn’t want to leaveEssendon,” Dodoro said.

“He is a contracted player and we weren’tpushing him out, another club came to us and requested that he go to theirclub.”

“We decided to keep him and now it is allgood on that front.”

Pears, who has played 57 games sincedebuting in 2008, has been plagued by injury troubles in recent times.

Dodoro said the Western Australian alwayswanted to remain in the red and black next season.

“Tayte made it perfectly clear that he wantedto have a big 2013 and stay at the Essendon Football Club,” he said.

“I think what we have found we have a lotof loyal young men and guys that want to stay at Essendon”

“I think that is a credit to theenvironment Hirdy has created at the Club.”