Essendon assistant coach James Kelly has praised gun midfielders Devon Smith and Zach Merrett for being a crucial part of the side’s resurgence.

Smith joined the Bombers from Greater Western Sydney in the off-season and hasn’t disappointed in his first season in the red and black as the competition’s leading pressure player.

The former Giant joined Essendon with the promise of more midfield time after being stranded for the majority of his career in the forward line and Kelly said Smith’s manic pressure has come naturally to him.

“We spoke to him about being in the midfield and using his speed and his ability to spread from the contest as a defensive mechanism for pressure for all of us and (to) really set the example in that,” Kelly told Macquarie Sports Radio on Friday.

“But I think it does come naturally to him a little bit, he loves hunting after the footy and he finds himself either winning the footy or there to pressure all the time and it’s something he clearly values.”

Kelly said Smith has entered his first season at The Hangar with a point to prove to his former club.

“I think it was maybe brought up at GWS that it wasn’t a great strength of his, so I think there’s a little bit in that as well in that he wants to turn that around,” he said.

“He’s been huge for us, all year he’s just hunted after the opposition with as much intent as I’ve ever seen anyone (show) and he’s getting the reward for it and us as an entire group are really reaping the benefits as well.”

Kelly also lauded Merrett’s persistence after pulling himself out of a form slump in recent weeks.

“I think the thing with Zach is he’s been challenged on two fronts. One front was he’s obviously getting more attention from the opposition now, he’s so damaging with the footy and he gets so much of it,” Kelly said.

“The other front is Skip (assistant coach Hayden Skipworth) and I have challenged him to spend a bit more time inside the contest.

“He’s got great hands and elite speed, so we want him in and around the footy more, not just sort of spreading away getting handball receives and uncontested possessions.

“So it’s been an adjustment for him on two fronts, which has been really challenging, but to his credit he’s worked his butt off.”

He described the 2017 All Australian on-baller as a “workhorse” and said the challenges he has faced this year are part and parcel of being an elite midfielder.

“He played some good games earlier in the year and had a bit of a flat patch getting some attention and every gun midfielder goes through that and has to work their way through it, and the good ones come out the other side and he’s certainly one of those.

“To his credit, he’s just kept his head down and you wouldn’t know that anything’s been any different at the club.

“He comes in every day and works hard and he’s meticulous in his preparation, which is why he’s coming out the other side and why he’ll be a superstar for a long time.”

The pair will look to continue their stellar form against reigning premier Richmond at Dreamtime at the G on Saturday evening, and Kelly said the occasion would be beneficial for a number of Bombers.

“It’s a pretty big game, I think there’s going to be 90-odd thousand (fans) there,” he said.

“I think for the whole group any amount of experience you can get on a bigger stage is invaluable. The more experienced our players can get as well on those big days, the better.

“It is quite a buzz and it’s great to show respect and appreciation for the indigenous community as well, but it’s great for everyone in footy really.”