ESSENDON'S ban from the 2013 finals series left the players feeling gutted, according to Michael Hurley.
But the key defender said on Tuesday the experience had provided extra motivation for the seventh-placed Bombers to make sure they taste September action this season.
"You try not to think about it a whole lot because it was extremely disappointing," Hurley told the club's website.
"It does add a bit of extra incentive to get there and try to works as hard as we can to make the finals.
"To have that taken away last year was gutting, so hopefully we can get there this year."
The AFL announced in August 2013 that Essendon had been kicked out of the finals series, fined $2 million and stripped of draft picks because of their use of supplements in 2012.
Senior coach James Hird's 12-month ban expires on August 25. Hird will have no match-day role this season and will be working on plans for 2015 in a bid to avoid disrupting interim coach Mark Thompson's finals campaign.
Essendon has won six of its past nine games, including a 50-point victory over Richmond in round 11 at the MCG on May 31.
However, the 12th-placed Tigers are running hot on the back of a five-game winning streak.
Hurley says Friday night's MCG round-20 blockbuster will be a difficult assignment.
"The Tigers will have a lot of confidence," Hurley said.
"They have played some good footy so it is a big challenge for us."
Hurley was Essendon's best player in its 22-point loss to the second-placed Sydney Swans at the SCG last weekend.
He says Essendon's slow start was the difference. The Bombers trailed by 26 points at quarter-time then outscored the home side by seven goals to six.
"You need to play four quarters of footy and on the weekend we showed up for maybe three," he said.
"That does show us that we can match it."
Ex-forward Hurley says he's happy in defence and played a lot of junior football in the backline.
"It has taken me a while but I'm feeling quite comfortable," he said.
Hurley says skipper Jobe Watson (hip) is on track for a possible comeback game on August 16 against West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
"He's flying. He looks as fit as I've ever seen him," Hurley said.
