Essendon veteran James Kelly has no doubt that defenders turned forwards Cale Hooker and Harry Taylor will become more and more valuable attacking options as the season progresses.

Kelly knows how good a defender Taylor is, having played alongside him in two premierships at the Cats and is watching Hooker's progress at the Bombers from close quarters as a teammate.

He said the moves of both were serving the greater good of the team, and in time the quality of the veteran defenders would shine through in the forward 50.  

"If Harry and Cale are not there and not legitimate marking threats, everyone just gets in front of Joe (Daniher) and everyone just gets in front of Tom (Hawkins)," Kelly told AFL Exchange Podcast.

"It is about the whole balance of the team."

Hooker made some errors against Richmond on Saturday night, but he has kicked 16 goals in 10 games and proved a good foil for Daniher as he emerges as one of the most dangerous tall forwards in the game.

Kelly backed them to play good football up forward in the remaining 12 games. 

"Those guys are both smart guys," Kelly said.

"They will just continually get better. A midfielder who goes and plays at half back doesn't nail it in his first 6 weeks or 10 weeks. It takes time like anything."