The first, as Goodes' kick appeared headed for a goal, saw his team remainoutside the eight with its finals destiny largely in the hands of others withthree matches remaining.
The second, and infinitely more appealing scenario, was realised when the ballgracefully arced away from the left goal post for a point that sealed astunning one-point win.
The reality for Hird's Bombers now is that they sit inside the eight andsomething would have to go seriously wrong for them to miss out on finalsfootball.
""When Goodes took the mark I pretty much thought we were gone. From myangle it looked like it was in and then out,"" Hird said.
""It's been a really interesting year for us … we've had some good wins andsome poor losses and a couple of games like that.
""You'd have to say that Essendon supporters have got their value for moneyso far this year.""
Essendon's finals picture looked uncertain when the Swans edged to a 12-pointlead late in the game despite their own poor kicking for goal.
Hird applauded the self-belief and determination of his players to keep comingat the Swans in a situation that would likely have produced a different resultduring a disappointing 2010 campaign.
""I think for our players, after the season they had last year, they'rejust excited that their season is alive,"" he said.
""But we can't afford to look too far ahead. We've got three games to goand you'd have to say that if we win three of them then we're definitely goingto make it, win two and we might and win one then we won't.
""If we make the finals I think it will be a very good reward for [our]players.
""If we don't it will obviously be disappointing, but we have to continueto improve, not just for the last part of this season, but for the next two orthree years if we want to compete with the best teams in the competition.""
Hird praised the efforts of evergreen defender Dustin Fletcher who was acalming influence on a young backline that performed well under intensepressure in the entertaining contest that could form the basis of a finalscharge.
