Hird said an improved defensive effort against Adelaide last weekend was the key to falling just four points short of beating the Crows.
“Our ability to stay in the contest, win our own football and keep it in our forward line was much better than it has been,” Hird said.
“It was outlined to the players if we want to be a forward of the ball team and just attack we won’t beat the good teams.”
The Bombers coach is adamant his side must continue that defensive pressure on Sunday if his team is to have any chance of beating an in-form North Melbourne side.
“They obviously have some really good talent in Swallow, Wells and Petrie, the run the ball very well and if we can’t defend the ground we will be in for a very long night,” he said.
“It’s a massive rivalry and we have only beaten them once in the last ten games before this year.
