ESSENDON will play off in its first finals series since 2004 after ending Hawthorn's chances of defending its premiership, with an enthralling 17-point win at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

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The Dons 16.20 (116) defeated the Hawks 14.15 (99) in front of 77,278 – the biggest home-and-away crowd between the two teams.

Hawthorn's loss means it becomes the first time since Adelaide missed the finals in 1999 that the premier has not made the top eight the following season.

It was a stunning win by the Dons, after they trailed at every change – and by 28 points at the 27-minute mark of the second term – before booting six goals to three in the final term – including six of the first seven. 

The match was a bruising encounter – several incidents are sure to be looked at by the match review panel – with plenty of sub-plots throughout.

And the star of the show was a first-year Bomber Michael Hurley who booted four goals, all in the second half.

Hawthorn copped several injuries and ran out of legs in the finish, with ruckman Max Bailey (knee) and midfielder Brad Sewell (concussion) forced to the sidelines by the early stage of the second half.

The injury of Bailey is particularly concerning. He left the field at the five-minute mark of the opening term after his left knee crumpled when jumping.

Playing just his sixth AFL match since debuting in 2006, it was an unfortunate sight, considering he has fought his way back from two knee reconstructions.

It remains to be seen how serious this latest set-back is.

In light of the Lance Franklin incident, Jarrod Atkinson's bump on Hawk defender Grant Birchall late in the first quarter is sure to be scrutinised.

The incident occurred after Birchall was running back with the flight of the ball and as he took the mark, Atkinson came in at full steam and copped him high.

Another tangle involving Paddy Ryder and Luke Hodge is also likely to come under the microscope, after the duo jabbed each other in the jaw.

Tough-nut Brad Sewell copped a massive blow when the shoulder of Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd crunched into him just moments into the second half. As a result, Sewell was knocked out and taken from the field via the motorised stretcher.

His felling sparked a fracas, which let to another Hawk Campbell Brown leaving the play with a split eye.

Along with Hurley, Brent Stanton was Essendon's leading ball-winner with 31 possessions, while Dustin Fletcher and Adam McPhee were excellent down back. Nathan Lovett-Murray and Heath Hocking also shone.

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell had 20 touches by half-time, as Andrew Welsh, who ran with him for much of that time had just five. Mitchell finished with a game-high 36 disposals, while Chance Bateman (26) also starred.

Key forward Beau Dowler, who booted a career-best four goals last week, backed up with three majors. Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall were also fine contributors.

The match had a finals-like feel from the word go.

Just a minute into the game and there were bruised bodies, with Atkinson aided from the field after copping a knock. Although he initially looked in trouble, he was back in the action before the first break.  

The Hawks led by eight points at the first break, with Dowler jagging two goals.

Hawthorn upped the ante with a gritty second term, kicking five of the first six goals to gain a 28-point lead. Only a Nathan Lovett-Murray goal at the 28-minute mark reduced the half time deficit back to 22 points.

After the dramatic second half start, Essendon regained its composure and hit back with a hat-trick of majors to trail by just three points.

Although the Dons were right on the Hawks' hammer, they were unable to hit the front.

It set up a thrilling finale, which Hawthorn entered with a five-point advantage.

But Atkinson kicked the first goal of the term to grab the lead and the momentum.

The Bombers kicked the next four, jumping out to a 28-point buffer and locking in September. 

Hawthorn  4.5  9.7  11.12  14.15 (99)
Essendon  3.3  5.9  10.13  16.20 (116)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Dowler 3, Bateman 3, Osborne 2, McGlynn, Muston, Moss, Kennedy, Rioli, Schoenmakers
Essendon: Hurley 4, Lovett 2, Lovett-Murray 2, Hocking, Monfries, Stanton, Neagle, Atkinson, Dyson, Winderlich, Lonergan

BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Bateman, Osborne, Hodge, Birchall, Dowler
Essendon: Hurley, Fletcher, McPhee, Stanton, Hocking, Lovett-Murray

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Bailey (knee), Sewell (concussion)
Essendon: TBC

REPORTS
Atkinson (Essendon) reported by field umpire Scott McLaren for rough conduct on Birchall (Hawthorn), Lloyd (Essendon) reported by field umpire Matt Stevic for rough conduct on Sewell (Hawthorn)

Umpires: Stevic, McLaren, Ryan
Official crowd: 77,278 at MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.