AFTER a 10-day break between games, James Hird is confident Essendon won't suffer a letdown against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
The Bombers have been in recovery mode since their one-point Anzac Day loss to Collingwood last Wednesday, but with a chance to continue their good start to the season, Hird expects another strong showing.
"This is a huge game for us in terms of where we want to go," Hird said on Friday.
"This will not be a letdown and our boys, in front of our home crowd at Etihad Stadium, are keen for a big performance."
Hird said the break was necessary after facing Carlton and Collingwood in four days, and had given enough time for injured players - such as Courtenay Dempsey and Nathan Lovett-Murray - to prove their fitness for the Lions.
"It was a well deserved rest, playing two games in four days is tough on everyone and the boys have come out of it really well," he said.
"We haven't trained them that hard this week but we've given them enough load that come tomorrow afternoon against Brisbane we'll perform well."
Essendon has landed four wins from its first five games, a result that has exceeded some expectations outside the club.
With many more winnable games before the club's bye in round 12, the Bombers could position themselves well in the first half of the year, but Hird said his main focus rested on getting better as the season grows.
"It's very dangerous to look at results entirely; you've got to look at the way you're playing," Hird said.
"If you look back three weeks ago we were only lucky to beat Gold Coast, and Port Adelaide we only won by a little bit. Against Carlton we played very well.
"We're hoping our form is getting better as the year goes on, but after 10 days of not playing, we have to start playing footy again. And tomorrow, rather than looking back on where we are, is about playing our best football and hopefully putting a win on the board."
Key defender Tayte Pears will sit out the clash with the Lions with a knee injury. Hird said Pears should be available to face West Coast in round seven.
Callum Twomey is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey
