Hawthorn’s upset win over West Coast in the final round has helped Essendon build a blue-print for Thursday night’s sudden death AFL final against the premiers.

The Hawks shocked the Eagles by 38 points at Optus Stadium, which meant the West Australian club slipped to fifth and gave up the double finals chance in a big blow to their title defence.

The eighth-placed Bombers have been given little hope of a win in Perth but their odds received a boost on Monday with star defender Michael Hurley taking to the training ground.

The 29-year-old partially dislocated his shoulder in the final-round loss to Collingwood but is one of a number of key players, including skipper Dyson Heppell (foot), expected to return.

Cale Hooker (illness), Orazio Fantasia (hip) and Jake Stringer (hamstring) also missed the Magpies match but have spent the week off doing extra work.

“He’s going really well and at this stage everything is looking really promising,” Worsfold said of Hurley.

“He has to say he thinks he’s able to play, the medical staff have to agree with that and we have to decide whether to pick him but at this stage he’s tracking really well.”

Worsfold said he’d taken note of the Hawks’ physical performance against West Coast.

“There’s stuff that Hawthorn did that was interesting,” the Bombers mentor said on Monday.

“We’ve also looked at some other games where West Coast have been challenged over there, including some of the quarters we’ve played against them in the last 18 months.”

Worsfold said his players had taken belief from their 11-point loss to Collingwood as they challenged the fourth-placed side despite fielding a weakened 22.

“We’ve played some really good footy against the best teams in the comp this year, so if we go out and play our best footy we think it will hold up,” Worsfold said.

Worsfold is contracted for next season but there are rumblings that Essendon’s first finals win in 15 years won’t be enough to save him.

However, the coach said he felt his future at the club was secure.

“I do (feel like it is) and that’s based on non-stop communication with the executive at the club,” Worsfold said.

“It’s not for me to pump my tyres up or be disappointed if people want to say that.

“I’ve got plenty to focus on in terms of picking the team without worrying about if someone thinks I’ve done a reasonable job or not.”