The Bombers will go into their first finals series since 2004 after registering a tense and testy 16.20 (116) to 14.15 (99) victory.
Injuries to Max Bailey (knee) and Brad Sewell (concussion) reduced Hawthorn to 20 fit players and the Bombers made the most of their advantage, running down the premiers in the second half after being bested in the opening two quarters.
The game had everything - manic intensity, knockouts, serious knee injuries, significant momentum changes and an old-fashioned brawl.
Brad Sewell was knocked out after Matthew Lloyd collected the Hawk's head with his shoulder as he charged into the centre square at the start of the second half.
Sewell was knocked out cold and was taken from the ground on the medicart. The incident sparked a round of mini-fights, which seems a requisite when these two sides meet.
After Lloyd's hit on Sewell, the Bombers sparked to life and kicked nine of the next 11 goals to come from four goals down to win.
Hurley was the youngest Bomber on the ground, but despite being drafted as a key defender, led the forwards with aplomb and kicked his four from 14 touches.
Essendon were amazingly efficient in the forward-50 in the second half, scoring from almost every entry.
Max Bailey - who has already had two knee reconstructions on his right knee - had his left knee buckle and lock under him in the first quarter, leaving him unable to straighten it. That left Brent Renouf to carry the rucking load with some help from Dowler.
The Hawks rotations were badly affected by the early loss of Bailey and then Sewell, and later in the game had Luke Hodge playing forward as he could hardly run.
For the Bombers, Dustin Fletcher was excellent in defence as was Heath Hocking, who also went through the midfield, while Jobe Watson bounced back to good form.
Andrew Lovett and Nathan Lovett-Murray proved to be a good combination all day for the Bombers, working well together to create goals
Sam Mitchell towelled up Andrew Welsh in the first half - 20 quality possessions to five - while Chance Bateman and Luke Hodge were terrific with their use.
In the absence of most of the Hawks regular forward line - Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Mark Williams all injured or suspended - Beau Dowler provided a good target forward early with three goals, although he was required to play a relieving role in the ruck due to Max Bailey's knee injury.
The first term was fierce, and neither side could make a decisive break, with eight points the biggest lead of the term. The side swapped goals for three lead changes and the Hawks led at the first break by eight points.
The Hawks had booted the last two of the first term through Dowler, and continued that momentum in the second, booting the first three - Dowler's third a terrific mark in the greasy conditions - to lead by 23.
Andrew Lovett goaled for the Bombers to break the run, but another couple to the Hawks gave them five goals to two in the quarter and 22-point half-time lead.
But Lloyd's hit cannoned the contest into a different direction as Essendon ran over the top of the premiers in the second half.
The cruncher is sure to come under scrutiny from the match review panel early next week, with plenty of interest surrounding the outcome.
Hawthorn 4.5 9.7 11.12 14.15 (99)
Essendon 3.3 5.9 10.13 16.20 (116)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Bateman 3, Dowler 3, Osborne 2, Hodge, Kennedy, McGlynn, Moss, Muston, Schoenmakers
Essendon: Hurley 4, Lovett 2, Lovett-Murray 2, Atkinson, Dyson, Hocking, Lonergan, Monfries, Neagle, Stanton, Winderlich
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.
