The Bombers went in to Friday night's clash with Geelong missing Michael Hurley, Patrick Ryder and David Zaharakis, just to name a few.
But in a third quarter when an inspired Geelong slammed on six goals to bury their opponents, one faint silver line emerged on Essendon's dark injury cloud.
Tom Bellchambers had dominated in the ruck for most of the night but floated forward to kick three goals - the only goals his team could manage for the quarter.
Hird said Bellchambers' ability to hold up his team when they were under attack was a glimpse into his potential.
"I've been very tough on Tom in the way we've made him earn his games and made him train and we have challenged him to be a better player, not just an OK ruckman but one of the best ruckmen in the competition," Hird said after the game.
"I've talked a lot about how when he does play, he needs to play at a high level and earn his games."
With recognised key marking targets absent in the Essendon front half, Bellchambers was acknowledged by Hird as one of his team's best.
"I thought last week he was in the top five on the ground and this week for us he was certainly one of our better players and dominated at certain times the tap-outs," he said.
"He kicked three goals and it is a credit to him, we probably needed a few more players standing up like he did tonight.
Since arriving at Essendon in 2007, Bellchambers has fought to climb his way up a ruck hierarchy including Patrick Ryder and David Hille. On Friday night he showed signs of being a key player for his team by capitalising on the few opportunities coming his way.
"I think in that third quarter Hirdy really put it on us in the midfield to try and change the game a bit," he said.
"You lead from the front as a big fella and I was lucky enough to get on the end of a couple. But it's kind of hard to change the momentum when they're as good a team as they were tonight."
His solid work was not confined to the forward 50 as Bellchambers finished with 35 hitouts. Without it being his fault, he often found himself delivering the ball to hungry Geelong midfielders.
"It's tough. Geelong were really good tonight in reading our hit areas and it is a credit to them," he said.
"We'll have to have a look at the tape and see where we can get better in that area."
Luke Holmesby is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_Luke
