ESSENDON is priming itself for a massive examination of its premiership credentials when it lines up against Hawthorn this Friday night.
Following Saturday's 39-point win over Greater Western Sydney, the Bombers have now won six straight games to leave themselves comfortably nestled in the AFL's top four.
Click here for full match coverage
They failed their last test against a top-four hopeful – a 44-point hammering against the Sydney Swans in round 10 – but have another to prove themselves against the high-flying Hawks.
Essendon hasn't beaten Hawthorn since round six 2010, losing its past three games against the old foe by an average of 58 points.
The Hawks knocked off the Western Bulldogs by 19 points earlier on Saturday to sit atop the ladder on 14 wins, four points ahead of the Bombers.
"It's huge," Hird said of the Friday night blockbuster.
"They're an outstanding team, we haven't been able to beat them in the last couple of years and they've beaten us quite comprehensively.
"We hope to get two or three players back and field a really competitive team and take it up to Hawthorn.
"We'd love to play well and I'm sure they would too. They're fighting for one and two and we're fighting for a place in the top four.
"There's a lot to play for."
The potential returns that Hird was referring to are Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis and Heath Hocking, who the coach feels should all return against Hawthorn.
Hird experienced yet another tumultuous week leading up to the game against the Giants, punctuated by an emotional press conference on Friday, when he again he had to defend his character in the face of the ongoing investigation into the club's former supplements program.
Under Hird, the Bombers have drastically improved their road record, having won four of their five games outside Victoria this season.
"It's always good to get out of Melbourne at the moment," Hird said with a wry smile.
"We enjoy traveling together. We're a tight group, we enjoy each other's company and any chance to get out of the house is a good one.
"We get out and play football. We enjoy the footy and the weekend.
"Our players looked a bit tired today and we're preparing now for a big six-week period hopefully leading up to the finals."
Saturday's victory also marked another milestone, with Essendon's 13th win for the season its best return since it won 13 games back in 2004.
It has been an impressive season for the club and Hird appeared bullish about the Bombers' prospects this season.
"I think we have to improve if we still want to compete with the best teams in the competition," he said.
"We have been down in a few areas in the last five or six weeks.
"If we can play like that against the better teams, I think anything can happen.
"Six games to go, we're 13 wins, and we're enjoying winning games of football."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_JD
