A stunning performance from Brisbane has brought their eight-game losing streak to an end, following an inspirational 56-point victory over Hawthorn in front of an ecstatic 'Gabba crowd.
Bold, daring and aggressive, the Lions' endeavours for their first two months of football finally paid dividends, with the Hawks unable to match their attack on the ball and sheer ferocity around the contests.
A solid defensive effort set a sturdy foundation for the Lions' win, and when combined with their fierce offensive, proved to be too hot for the visitors to handle.
Resolute in defence, Hugh McCluggage starred down back with 27 disposals, while Eric Hipwood was exceptionally dangerous up forward with four goals.
Although Tom Mitchell put together another whopping 46-disposal game, his natural magnetism to the ball and strong clearance work wasn't enough to overcome the Brisbane midfield might of Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko.
With all the attention in the lead-up to the match centred on Luke Hodge coming up against his old side, the one-man spectacle was quickly forgotten as an entertaining and high-calibre brand of football took precedence.
Once again, the Luke Breust and Jack Gunston combination proved to be dangerous for the brown-and-gold, with the pair combining in the goal square to get the match underway.
With the Hawks looking dangerous early, a massive Charlie Cameron mark over his teammate Darcy Gardiner foiled another potential major for the visitors, before some excellent crumbing from the small forward and a subsequent 50m penalty gave Mitch Robinson levelled the scores.
A questionable fall from with Robinson en route to the goal square collected James Sicily high, agitating Hawthorn and leaving them hungry for a quick response.
The Hawks ultimately got their revenge fast, after Gunston - who seemed to have all the time in the world - snapped from 40m out to secure his second of the afternoon just five minutes into the game.
Slightly more aggressive around the ball and exuding class when in possession, the Hawks' edge ultimately paid off, with Mitchell and Isaac Smith adding their names to the scoresheet after just 10 minutes of play.
The midfield magnet in Mitchell continued to display his unrivalled skills in the opening term, finishing with 16 possessions despite a close tag from Robinson.
As the Hawthorn defensive zone locked down, the Lions struggled to transition the ball out of their back half, as evidenced by the inside 50 count which sat 1-9 midway through the term.
But in an uncharacteristic blue, two successive turnovers in Hawthorn's defence gifted Hipwood with back-to-back majors, cutting the margin back to just a straight kick.
Although Dayne Zorko continued his hot goalkicking form with a major of his own to put the Lions up by a point, the elation was put to rest as Jarryd Roughead nudged the Hawks back in front by just five points at quarter-time.
The skipper's on-the-siren effort was not enough to ward off the resolute Lions however, with a five-goal straight second term catapulting the home side into the lead.
While the quarter was hard-fought and full of aggression, finesse in front of goal was not affected, with just two behinds - one of which was rushed - registered in the seven-goal quarter.
Far more cohesive around the ground, the connectivity between the Lions' centre and forward line presented itself early, with Oscar McInerney and Cameron converting early with short-range shots.
With their defensive end holding up despite the heavily skewed inside 50 count at half-time (16-29), a Sicily major was the only score which amounted following seven successive Hawthorn entries.
As a Rich major interrupted successive goals to the Hawks, the Lions continued their ascendancy, booting the next two through Cameron Rayner and Dayne Beams to mount the pressure on the visitors.
Despite Hawthorn being on top of the clearances and inside 50s, fluency from the centre into the attacking end of the ground was nowhere near as precise as it could have been.
With Brisbane clicking in all areas of the ground, the home side raced to half-time with a surprising 11-point lead, albeit with still a lot of work to do if they were to knock off the flag fancies.
But the tight contest showed no sign of relenting, with Brisbane's four goals for the term against Hawthorn's two putting them in good stead for the final slog.
Set on keeping the Lions winless, Jack Gunston slashed the margin with his third minutes into the term, before Hipwood replied soon after to take his tally to three, despite it being surrounded by more controversial circumstances.
The crowd were in an uproar after Hipwood's shot on goal was called a point, but with the decision overturned and correctly called a six-pointer, the Lions restored their half-time advantage.
Hipwood beautifully set up Tom Cutler just moments after letting his opportunity for a fourth go amiss, as the Lions continued to ramp up the pressure on the off-guard Hawks.
As the intensity escalated, the Hawks struggled to find space, with the Lions tackling pressure stifling their opposition's run, while they simultaneously found themselves with room when they had ball in hand.
Daring run through the corridor and strong overlap handballs paved the way for the next two Brisbane goals, with Cameron and Beams the benefactors as the margin sat at a staggering 30 points.
Hugh McCluggage was a standout for the Lions, providing run off half-back and leading the disposal count for his side at the end of the term (23).
Despite raising the tempo, a flurry of behinds failed to extend the lead by any significant factor, before a Roughead goal closed the term and brought the Hawks within 27 points.
With the Hawks notorious for their blistering finishes, the Lions were craving some extra room to pad out their five-goal lead.
Hipwood again proved to be troublesome for the Hawthorn defence, with the young forward putting through his fourth before Cutler and Allen Christensen made it three in a row for the Lions to push the margin out to a game-high 45 points.
Slicing through the Hawthorn midfield like butter, the Lions seemed to have zero difficulty winning the centre clearances, allowing them to repeatedly bomb the ball into their attacking half.
A James Worpel snap on goal gifted him his first league goal, before 28-year-old third-gamer, Matt Eagles, brought the 'Gabba crowd to their feet after he too kicked his maiden AFL major.
Playing with gusto and armed with some much-needed insurance, the Lions ultimately didn't require the extra room, with only Gunston's fourth goal the only other major score to trouble the home side.
As Rayner, Cutler and Lewis Taylor capped off the spectacular effort of his side with his second goal, the Lions were nothing short of ecstatic as the final siren rang; their eight-game losing streak game finally at an end.
Brimming with confidence and a long-awaited reward for their efforts, Brisbane will be surging into next week when they come up again Sydney at the 'Gabba, while Hawthorn will be seeking amends against West Cost on Saturday night.
BRISBANE 4.1 9.1 13.6 20.9 (120)
HAWTHORN 5.0 7.2 9.3 11.7 (73)
GOALS
Brisbane: Hipwood 4, Cutler 3, Rayner 2, Cameron 2, Beams, McInerney, CHristensen, Robinson, Eagles, Rich, Zorko
Hawthorn: Gunston 4, Smith 2, Roughead 2, Mitchell, Sicily, Worpel
BEST
Brisbane: Hipwood, McCluggage, Zorko, Beams, Cameron, Martin, Cutler
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Shiels, Gunston, Smith, Impey
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
TALKING POINTS
1. LIONS BREAK THEIR DUCK
Eight weeks is an exceptionally long time in football, and it's even longer when your side doesn't have a win on the board.
Despite some heroic efforts against Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Gold Coast, a win for the Lions proved to be elusive, with their 0-8 figures seeing them float in-between 17th and 18th positions on the ladder.
But fortune finally favoured the brave, with Brisbane notching up their maiden win of the season against Hawthorn by a massive 56 points.
Aggressive in their approach and courageous like their namesake both defensively and offensively, the Lions outclassed their opposition with a strong four quarter effort, capped off by a seven-goal final term.
Now leaving Carlton on the bottom of the ladder following their 109-point smashing earlier today, the Lions can only benefit from their inspiring win today as they hope to overtake St Kilda in 16th position over the coming weeks.
Firing on all cylinders, keep an eye out for the Lions.
2. HODGE GETS THE LAST LAUGH
It was the most documented clash of the season as Luke Hodge prepared to do battle against his old side, Hawthorn, in his new team colours.
A side where he won four premierships - three of which as captain - and played 305 games, Hodge's performance against the team he was such an important part of was hotly anticipated for weeks on end.
The seasoned veteran performed commendably, marshalling the Brisbane defence together and finishing with 19 instrumental disposals.
Hodge's knowledge his old line-up undoubtedly would have played a crucial role in the Hawks' destabilisation, with the best team of the modern era unable to match the Lions as they ran out 56-point victors.
Off the field tactician, on the field leader - there's no one better than Luke Hodge.
3. AN INTERESTING CALL
Eric Hipwood played a pivotal for the Lions up forward with his four-goal haul, yet he was nearly robbed of one at the opening of the third term.
As Hipwood put through what should have been his third goal, his celebrations were cut short after the decision was called a behind.
With the crowd in disbelief, the decision was soon reviewed and the correct decision was eventually rewarded to the Brisbane forward.
Another reason why the goal review system is effective - it just needs consistency.
4. CHARLIE CAMERON'S MARK IS GOING TO BE HARD TO BEAT
Mark of the Year has been given an early contender which is going to be very tough to beat.
Charlie Cameron achieved insane aerial time as he leapt over his teammate, Darcy Gardiner, in the opening quarter, with the lively crowd all on their feet after his incredible hang.
Even better was the fact that Cameron soon crumbed the ball on the half-back flank and paved the way for Brisbane's first goal of the game.
Leave some room in the garage for that car, Charlie.
5. TWO DAYNES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Although Tom Mitchell finished with yet another 40+ haul and was the highest accumulator on the ground (46 touches), his influence wasn't quite as profound as his opposition midfielders.
Dayne Zorko (30 disposals) and Dayne Beams (28 disposals) put together exceptional performances for the Lions, and were crucial in delivering the ball from the centre into their attacking half.
With both Daynes in sync, the Lions looked exceptionally dangerous, while Mitchell had contributors in Jarman Impey and Liam Shiel, yet their combination wasn't quite as effective.
Regardless, a massive effort from Mitchell, whose impressive figures continue to grow to epic proportions.
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