The Bombers kicked the first eight goals of the game inside the first 20 minutes but still would have lost if not for the sheer brilliance of skipper Hird and champion spearhead Matthew Lloyd.
Hird ended the game with a game-high 34 possessions and three goals, including the match-winner in the final minute as Essendon won 22.5 (137) to 20.11 (131).
It was Hird’s first public outing since his shock criticism of field umpire Scott McLaren during the week, which could yet result in the 1996 Brownlow Medalist copping a massive fine or even a suspension.
But by the end of this amazing game, the Bombers should not have been criticising umpires but instead getting down on their knees and thanking the AFL Appeal Board because had Lloyd not played in this game, then even Hird’s brilliance would not have been enough to save the Bombers.
Lloyd, whose two match suspension for striking was overturned by the Appeal Board on Thursday, kicked eight goals in a devastating performance.
His three first term goals were instrumental in the Bombers’ amazing first quarter onslaught in which they dominated to such an extent that only five West Coast players had even managed to register a kick by halfway through the term.
And then when the Eagles were storming their way back into the contest in a memorable third quarter, it was Lloyd’s four goals for the term that ensured the Bombers were not completely overrun.
And then in a frantic final quarter it was Lloyd’s mark and eighth goal on the hapless Trent Carroll that gave the Bombers the lead at the 27 minute mark.
However the Eagles, who would have equalled the greatest comeback in their history had they won, drew level at the 30 minute mark with a goal from Damian Adkins.
But it was Hird who would have the final say with a great snap from 30 metres out in the final minute won the game as the Bomber hordes almost lifted the roof off the Telstra Dome.
However if not for Hird and Lloyd it could have been so different for the red and black hordes.
The Bombers were so close to losing three games in a row for the first time since 1998 and losing the first three games of the season for the first time since 1967 but will now be hoping this memorable win will kick-start their season.
However it should be remembered that the Eagles’ incredible comeback was achieved without number one ruckman Michael Gardiner, who left the field after only ten minutes and did not return, while to compound the visitors’ lack of height their back-up ruckman Dean Cox limped off early in the final term.
But thanks to their brilliant midfield of Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley, Chad Fletcher and the improved Adkins, the Eagles just continued coming at Essendon despite their lack of height in attack which saw the tiny Phil Matera opposed to Dustin Fletcher all night.
However in the end the effort to peg back an eight goal deficit and the brilliance of Hird and Lloyd proved the difference in what was surely the best game of the 2004 season so far.
And considering Lloyd was only playing due to the appeal board decision, the victory should ensure there is no criticism of officialdom by the Bombers this week.
After the game Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy admitted he was in awe of Hird's performance especially considering the tense build-up the skipper had endured leading into the game.
"He was outstanding," Sheedy said of Hird.
"He could not have shown a better standard of leadership or quality of performance."
Not surprisingly, it was West Coast’s inept start that most disappointed coach John Worsfold.
“It was a great start by Essendon that we couldn’t quell at all. At that stage, you wonder if you are any chance to get back in the game,” Worsfold said.
“The guys, to their credit, fought their way back into it and it took a fair while to actually close that gap. I don’t think anyone could question how hard these guys give during a game.”
“We’re not the perfect side by far as yet, but we’ve got a lot of players that have a lot of potential that will come through for us.”
Worsfold also said Gardiner’s injury - suspected to be a posterior cruciate ligament strain - ‘doesn’t look good’.
ESSENDON: 8.0, 10.1, 16.3, 22.5 (137)
WEST COAST EAGLES: 3.0, 7.5, 15.8, 20.11 (131)
GOALS: Essendon: Lloyd 8, Mercuri 3, Hird 3, Hille 2, Murphy 2, Lucas, Solomon, Dyson, Lovett-Murray
West Coast: Sampi 3, Cousins 3, Matera 3, McDougall 3, Kerr 2, Adkins 2, Fletcher, Braun, Chick, Jakovich
BEST: Essendon: Hird, Lloyd, Peverill, Solomon, Hille, Mercuri
West Coast: Cousins, Kerr, Judd, Lynch, McDougall, Embley
INJURIES: Essendon:. Nil
West Coast: Gardiner (knee)
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Head, Goldspink
CROWD: 33,150 at Telstra Dome
