Essendon assistant coach Hayden Skipworth has no doubt “warrior” defender Michael Hurley will be able to play through the pain in Thursday night’s AFL elimination final against West Coast.

Hurley dislocated his shoulder in the final-round loss to Collingwood, but has been cleared to play against the Eagles.

Skipworth said although Hurley will be playing in discomfort, he’s backing the key backman to perform strongly against West Coast’s star-studded attack.

“He’s a warrior really. He always puts his best foot forward whether he’s injured or not injured,” he said.

“He’s good to go. He’s trained all week. He’s played through injuries his whole career, and I’m sure he’ll be fine.

“We’re excited to have him in. We know what we can bring as far as his rebound and kicking out of the backline.”

Skipper Dyson Heppell (foot), Cale Hooker (illness), Orazio Fantasia (hip), and Jake Stringer (hamstring) all missed the final-round loss to Collingwood.

The pre-finals bye means that quartet will have missed almost three weeks of action by the time they run out against the Eagles.

Skipworth believes that’s a positive thing, with the break “crucial” in resting their battered bodies.

“They’re going to be as good as they have been for a long way in the season,” Skipworth said.

“Heppell and Fantasia – to give them that extra week puts them in really good stead to perform well.”

Essendon haven’t won a final since 2004, but Skipworth said that drought wasn’t playing on the team’s mind.