CALE Hooker, lately reborn as an Essendon key forward, says club legend Matthew Lloyd was partly behind his move into attack.

As well as pushing for the shift, Lloyd has been coaching the 2014 All Australian defender in goalkicking.

Hooker spoke to the media on Tuesday after spending more than 30 minutes extra time on the training track in one-on-one goalkicking practice with Lloyd.

"Lloydy in particular, just with that set shot practice … he was obviously the best in the business, so all the advice I can get off him the better," Hooker said. 

"I'm already feeling the improvement. It's a bit like practising your golf swing, you just keep practising it and it'll become a habit and it'll become easy.

Moving Hooker forward to help young Joe Daniher in the absence of injured Jake Carlisle has been a moderate success.

In his four outings up forward since making the switch Hooker has contributed 7.10. 

The 26-year-old West Australian said he had spent limited time up forward in his football journey, having started as a midfielder in juniors and finding his place in defence at the Bombers.

"When the coaches tell you you're playing forward you don't have much choice," he joked.  

"I did feel like I was on top of my game down back.

"(But I'm) really enjoying it, with the young guys up there, and helping there, and if that's best for the team then more than happy to do it."

Midfielder David Zaharakis missed training through illness.

Zaharakis was expected to front a scheduled media opportunity on Tuesday morning, but the club said he was ill and went home.

It's unclear if he's in any doubt for this week's game.

"I think he's a little bit sick with the flu, but he'll be fine," Hooker said.

"He'll be up and going tomorrow, later in the week, and be ready for the weekend."

Essendon plays the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bombers are 14th on the ladder with just five wins for the season.