An irresistible Brisbane outfit absent of Luke Hodge has put a dampener on Hawthorn’s September aspirations for the second time this season, taking home a 33-point victory at University of Tasmania Stadium.
It was an exceptionally tight affair for the entire afternoon, yet the Lions managed to boot 10 second half majors and keep the Hawks goalless in the last, with youngsters Hugh McCluggage (29) and Cameron Rayner (19, three goals) leading the charge alongside Dayne Beams (33).
Despite the loss of Hodge pre-match and the absence of Harris Andrews, the Brisbane defence of Tom Cutler, Alex Witherden and Daniel Rich performed superbly to prevent the Hawks from stealing back the lead in the second half.
Tom Mitchell (43 disposals, one goal) and Jaeger O’Meara (27, four goals) were exceptional in defeat, yet weren’t able to gift their side a crucial victory, with the Hawks sliding out of the top-eight as a result of their shock loss.
Both sides looked particularly threatening from the onset, finishing the term with two majors apiece in what was a gruelling and physical contest.
Mitchell began the game in explosive style, finishing the first quarter with 14 touches, five tackles and a goal to boot – his prolific tack on the ball fundamental in placing the Hawks in front.
Fittingly, the Hawthorn ball-magnet opened the game off the back of some well-composed team play, with the Lions initially struggling in the absence of Hodge, conceding the first five inside 50s of the game.
Despite the false start of sorts, Brisbane pieced together a spirited and aggressive term, with their tackling – led by Jarrod Berry in the defensive end with five for the term – ramping up the pressure on the home side.
A pair of Mitch Robinson majors sandwiched O’Meara’s first of the day, yet a last-minute flurry of Hawthorn behinds saw them creep in front as the quarter drew to a closer.
While the Lions appeared harder at the contest and were on top of the contested ball, the Hawks had that little bit more class to see them over their opposition by four points at the first change.
The ferocity of the opening quarter barely waned heading into the second, with both sides sustaining their respective pressure-laden approaches.
Although the Hawks edged out their opposition four goals to three, a lapse in concentration allowed the Lions to own the game for a significant portion of the term.
Brisbane had the run but lacked the composure, with a series of skill errors and fumbles almost costing the Lions a certain goal to hit the front until Allen Christensen eventually converted, with Hawthorn giving away a free kick in the goal square.
With the Lions on top, another blemish from the Lions - this time from Blake Hardwick after he knocked the ball over the line outside the protected area – proved to be costly with a skilful snap from Dayne Zorko extending the Lions’ lead.
The Lions soon made it four goals in 10 minutes as Rayner converted off the back of some solid run and overlap from the middle of the ground.
Hawthorn steadied the ship via Brendan Whitecross, before James Sicily came to the fore and helped regain Hawthorn’s ascendancy with three consecutive inside 50s.
Gathering 10 inside 50s in a row, the Hawks began to look exceptionally dangerous, with Jack Gunston eventually going back-to-back to restore the Hawks’ lead.
With the Hawks on the rise, the panicked back six resulted in frantic disposal use, with O’Meara jagging his second thanks to some Brisbane indecisiveness.
Mitchell meanwhile continued to rack up plenty of ball, finishing the half with 29 disposals and driving his side to an 11-point lead at half-time.
But the Lions saved their best for the third term, maintaining their intensity with a stunning six-goal quarter, despite the Hawks looking exceptionally ominous with three of their own.
Hawthorn’s run and precision looked dangerous from the get-go, with O’Meara reading the play like a book and booting his third within the opening minutes of play.
Hugh McCluggage and Daniel McStay combined to put an abrupt to the Hawks’ fairytale soon after however, with two goals in as many minutes putting the Lions less than a goal down.
Brisbane soon began writing the script, dictating the style of play through their manic pressure and hard running before snatching back the lead through Eric Hipwood.
Finding a sense of composure, the Lions continued to thrive on the scoreboard, with a phenomenal Mark of the Year attempt from Rayner and subsequent dribbler along the deck making it four consecutive majors for the visitors.
The only sour note came in the form of a potential concussion to Berry, yet the young midfielder returned to the ground after passing the concussion test.
Hawthorn finally managed to snap Brisbane’s run with a hasty goal from Taylor Duryea, but the best was yet to come with O’Meara once again bursting from the clearance and snapping his fourth with ease.
Hipwood matched O’Meara’s class just moments later, with a wonderful goal on the run from the pocket, before McCluggage jagged his second in similar fashion to put the Lions back in the driver’s seat.
With the intensity hardly wavering for the entire quarter, the Lions managed to hold on against the surging Hawks and take a slender eight-point lead at the final change.
Against all odds, the Lions managed to hold onto their victory, with a commanding final quarter of four unanswered goals steering them to a hard-earned victory and their third in a row.
With the ball bouncing from end-to-end and each side wary of how costly a slip-up would be, Rayner finally broke the deadlock, tearing free from the centre and duly converting a pivotal major.
It didn’t take long for the Lions to further punish the Hawks, with Hipwood nailing his third to give the visitors a game-high 21-point lead.
Despite Hawthorn’s continual press and sheer desperation in hitting the scoreboard, it was ultimately the Lions who won the battle.
Due to the frantic pressure placed upon them, the Hawks’ forays forward were generally unclean, allowing the Brisbane defence to scrap their way up the ground and ward off their invading opposition.
Two final majors from McStay and Berry effectively iced the game, with the Lions running out as 33–point victors and securing their third win in a row – a feat which hadn’t been achieved since 2013.
Hawthorn will return to Melbourne to keep their finals hopes alive when they take on Carlton next Sunday at Etihad Stadium, while Brisbane will be searching for their fourth consecutive win when the do battle with Adelaide at the ‘Gabba.
HAWTHORN 2.5 6.7 9.10 9.11 (65)
BRISBANE 2.1 5.2 11.6 15.8 (98)
GOALS
Hawthorn: O'Meara 4, Gunston 2, Mitchell, Duryea, Whitecross
Brisbane: Rayner 3, Hipwood 3, McStay 2, Robinson 2, Zorko, McCluggage, Taylor, Christensen, Berry
BEST
Hawthorn: O'Meara, Mitchell, Gunston, Shiels, Sicily
Brisbane: Beams, McCluggage, Rayner, Cutler, Berry, Hipwood, Zorko, Witherden
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Brisbane: Hodge (calf), replaced in the selected side by Cedric Cox
TALKING POINTS
1. DÉJÀ VU FOR HAWKS AS LIONS PULL OFF ANOTHER REMARKABLE VICTORY
It's been a clean sweep for Brisbane in their encounters against Hawthorn this season, with two very convincing victories both at home and away.
In round nine, the Lions piled on 11 second half goals against the Hawks' four, while today Brisbane outscored their opposition 10 goals to four in the same amount of time.
The Hawks now sit outside the top-eight as a result.
With Eric Hipwood booting seven goals in the two matches and Dayne Beams tearing the Hawks to shreds on both occasions, the Lions have undoubtedly put a massive dent in Hawthorn's finals aspirations.
A massive boost for the Lions, a monumental disappointment for the Hawks.
2. YOUNG LIONS MORE THAN CAPABLE WITHOUT HODGE AND HARRIS
When Luke Hodge was withdrawn from the selected 22 with a calf complaint, the chances for Brisbane notching up another victory against Hawthorn dramatically decreased, with his absence - and that of Harris Andrews - leaving a gaping hole in the young Lions' defence.
But to their credit, the young back six persevered without their two stars, with Daniel Rich, Tom Cutler and Alex Witherden in particular all playing outstanding games to will their side to victory.
Hodge was instrumental in the Lions' round nine win over the Hawks, finishing with 19 disposals and seven marks in what was Brisbane's first victory of 2018.
While the 318-gamer would have provided a wealth of experience on the field, Hodge was undoubtedly just as damaging in the coach's box, with his knowledge of the Hawks second to none.
More importantly though, the Lions have shown they have emerging talent in their backline, who proved today they are able to hold their own even against a seasoned forward attack.
Throw Andrews back into the mix and there's the beginnings of a very sturdy defence.
3. THERE'S A REASON RAYNER WAS PICK NO. 1
When Cameron Rayner performed an impressive "don't-argue" on Jed Lamb last week, many immediately likened action to that of Dustin Martin - the fend-off now synonymous with the Brownlow medallist.
But Rayner proved today he has the real makings of a player similar to Martin, with today's 19 disposals, 11 score assists and three goals nothing short of crucial to the Lions' success.
While only registering more than 20 touches in two games this year, Rayner's damaging run, strength and tendency to hit the scoreboard have been his greatest attributes.
Nominated for the Rising Star in round 15 against Fremantle for a 19-disposal and two-goal effort, who's to say he can't be nominated again for today's performance?
Maybe the rule book, but Rayner certainly has put forward a very good reason as to why the rules could be tweaked slightly...
4. MITCHELL AND O'MEARA SUPERB, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET THE WIN
Despite the loss, Hawthorn still had their stars, both of whom almost turned the tide of the game and put the Hawks one step closer to a finals campaign.
Tom Mitchell was on fire in the opening half, racking up an overwhelming 29 touches and ending his day with 43 disposals - today marking the eighth time the Brownlow contender has notched up more than 40 possessions in the game.
Jaeger O'Meara was just as damaging, finishing with 27 touches and four masterful goals which very nearly swung the momentum Hawthorn's way.
With Liam Shiels also starring in the midfield with 34 disposals, the Hawks certainly had more than enough force to take on the Lions, yet the fact they lost the contested possession count by 36 was indicative of their opposition's added hardness around the contest.
Another massive performance will be needed if the Hawks want to remain in top-eight relevancy.
5. AND IT GETS EVEN BETTER FOR BRISBANE...
The day of celebrations will be even more special for the Lions when they find out that today marks the first time since 2013 they've strung together three consecutive victories.
Rounds 15-17 from 2013 saw victories over Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Melbourne, but from then on consecutive victories proved to be elusive, with their last back-to-back win coming in 2015.
A 33-point win over the Hawks in Tasmania and their first back-to-back-to-back wins in over five years - the Lions are on the up.
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