Cale Hooker praises Rising Star hopeful Andrew McGrath and hopes James Kelly plays on in 2018

ESSENDON star Cale Hooker has lauded young gun Andrew McGrath but says the Rising Star favourite isn’t the only Bomber defender he wants to see more of next year.

Cale Hooker is happy to talk up Andrew McGrath — and James Kelly. Picture: Getty Images

ESSENDON young gun Andrew McGrath has won teammate Cale Hooker’s ringing endorsement in the tight race for the AFL’s Rising Star award, as Hooker also suggested veteran James Kelly — one of the defenders McGrath is learning from — should play on next season.

After the Bombers produced some of their best footy to knock off St Kilda by 61 points, Hooker said the club’ oldest and youngest players on Friday night had played significant roles.

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McGrath, 19, is in a tight race for the AFL’s young gun award, along with the likes of Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton and Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper.

His prospects were further enhanced after another strong display on Friday, with his form so good it has even surprised his teammates.

“He (McGrath) would have to be leading the Rising Star,” Hooker said. “He has been amazing. He has probably even surprised us with how well he is going.”

Andrew McGrath in action against the Saints on Friday night. Picture: AAP

“He is a great kid and only going to get better.”

Hooker joked McGrath’s biggest Rising Star rival might be 33-year-old Kelly, who is still playing outstanding football.

Kelly won’t make a decision before the end of the season, but after the former Cat signed on as a top-up player for 2016 with a plan to play one year, he might yet turn that into a third season.

“I tell him all the time I want him to play on,” Hooker said of Kelly.

“He will obviously weigh it up at the end of the year, but there is a spot for him I’m sure with the sort of form he is playing in.”

Hooker said the Bombers’ recent revival of fortunes following late fade-outs losses to Sydney and Brisbane came off the back of some honest conversations and a plan to go back to the basics.

“We had a few hard conversations after the Brisbane game,” he said. “We used it as a learning experience to go back to what we had worked on at the start of the season.”

Cale Hooker says the Bombers have learned from recent losses. Picture: Getty Images

“We looked at our contest work and the way we have wanted to move the ball, and we went back to basics a bit. It seems to be working.”

The Essendon forward is loving his role in attack, saying Joe Daniher continues to take his game to new heights — sometimes quite literally — as he works in well with the rest of the group.

“Joey has been great this year,” he said. “He is working really hard ... he is kicking goals, but he gives a few off as well.”

“Our whole forward line has been good — (Orazio) Fantasia, ‘Tipa’ (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti), ‘Greeny’ (Josh Green) and ‘Stewy’ (James Stewart).

“We are all really enjoying it down there. Our team has got so much upside, so that’s the good thing.”

Hooker, 28, never listened to the debate over whether he should be playing forward or back and insisted he was happy to play wherever coach John Worsfold wants him to play.

“It really doesn’t worry me, I’m happy to play wherever,” he said.

“If that’s in the forward line, that’s fine with me. They swing me back just to help out on occasions, but I am enjoying playing footy again and enjoying being a part of this team.”

James Kelly celebrates the win with Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s been an enjoyable year so far. There have been a few ups and downs, but we have tried to keep it pretty level. I feel like we are on the right path.”

He said he felt as if he was running out the season better in the back end than earlier in the season and hopes that stands the Bombers in good stead in the race for September.

“I have been feeling better and better as the year has gone on,” he said. “The mental state of the group is fresh, so that’s exciting.”

But he isn’t taking anything for granted, saying the Bombers can only focus on the task ahead against North Melbourne on Saturday.

“We know they have lost a lot of games by under 20 points, and we saw against Brisbane, if we are not in the game, we will lose,” he said. “So we won’t be taking them lightly.”