The Brisbane Lions pushed the Hawthorn Hawks early on Saturday but were eventually blown away by a margin of 48 points as the Hawks piled on goals late in the game.
REPORT: HAWKS HOLD OFF BRAVE LIONS
Final score
Brisbane Lions 13.9.87
Hawthorn Hawks 21.9.135
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The Brisbane Lions have an almighty task on their hands as they host a Hawthorn Hawks side hungry for a win. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
With Collingwood and Richmond both returning to form of late, the spotlight must surely be shining now on Justin Leppitsch and the Brisbane Lions.
Despite recruiting strongly at the end of 2014, the Lions took a big backwards step in 2015. At 1-8 so far this year, 2016 looks like it could be even worse.
Three weeks ago they pushed the Swans to the limit with a spirited performance, with Sydney relying on a late Luke Parker goal to sneak home at the Gabba. Since then, Brisbane have been haplessly trounced by Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne.
On current form, this afternoon’s clash could get very ugly, very quickly.
At 6-3, Hawthorn have overcome a shaky start to improve on their 5-4 record from this time a year ago, but their percentage of 103% is way down on the 151% they sported then, and Hawthorn once again find themselves forced to, perhaps unfairly, defend their premiership credentials.
Anything less than a huge win in Brisbane will keep the doubters talking.
Hawthorn have a superb recent record over Brisbane, winning nine of the last ten contests.
But seven of those contests have been played at their Launceston stronghold, with this game being the Hawks’ first trip to Brisbane since 2008.
Of the twelve games these teams have played at The Gabba, the Lions have won nine.
Prediction
This is easily the biggest mismatch of this week and perhaps one of the biggest mismatches of the season.
You’d say Brisbane are a slightly better chance given they’re playing at home, but after the tripe they served up a fortnight ago, the Gabba looks anything but a fortress.
Hawks by 57.
Be sure to join The Roar to stay up-to-date with all of the action from the Gabba with our live scores and blog from 1:45 (AEST).
Stirling Coates
Editor
Click here to read the full match report form this game What's next? Follow our St Kilda vs Fremantle live blog THE ROAR AFL MVP VOTES 3 VOTES - Jordan Lewis (HAW) - Had an absolute blinder in his 250th. 42 disposals, nine clearances, six inside 50s and a handy goal. 2 VOTES - Cyril Rioli (HAW) - His contribution can be over-valued at times, but he was a match-winner today. Playing primarily up forward, 19 touches, seven tackles and five big goals. 1 VOTE - Shaun Burgoyne (HAW) - 22 disposals at 82%, seven tackles and five inside 50s playing from half back right through to half forward. Got better as the game wore on.
Stirling Coates
Editor
BRISBANE LIONS v HAWTHORN FULL TIME REPORT Brisbane Lions - 13.9 (87) Hawthorn - 21.9 (135) GOAL KICKERS Lions: Bell 4, Taylor 3, Zorko 2, Schache 2, Freeman, Robertson Hawks: Rioli 5, McEvoy 3, Breust 2, Hill 2, Gunston 2, Puopolo 2, Burgoyne, Sicily, Smith, Lewis, O'Brien DISPOSAL LEADERS Lions: Christensen 31, Mayes 26, Robinson 26 Hawks: Lewis 42, Gibson 26, Birchall 26 TEAM STATS Disposals: Hawks 393, Lions 368 Contested Possessions: Lions 157, Hawks 151 Tackles: Hawks 71, Lions 70 Inside 50s: Hawks 61, Lions 49 Clearances: Hawks 44, Lions 39
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN Pearce Hanley has a set shot in the dying seconds, but misses everything across the face. The siren sounds on a very anticlimactic last quarter, the Lions players look shattered, the Hawks players look relieved. Hawthorn by 48 in the end. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 21.9 (135) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
Very depressing at the end of the day for Brisbane fans. They'll fall to 1-9 on the season, with Carlton, Fremantle, West Coast and Richmond to come. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 21.9 (135) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Turnover from Brisbane coming out of defense and the long kick back to the pocket is marked by James Sicily. He centres it to Jack Gunston, and Gunston's set shot is straight through. Nine goals for the Hawks in this last quarter. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 21.9 (135) Q4: 3'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Will Langford gathers in the forward pocket, uses the vision well while spinning around and picks Paul Puopolo in the forward corridor. Kicking from 20 out, directly in front, he pushes the margin past 40 points. Very disappointing from a Brisbane point of view, margin doesn't reflect their efforts today. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 20.9 (129) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Jordan Lewis gets the record-breaking 39th disposal, a long kick to full forward, and while it bounces past one contest, Tim O'Brien picks it up off the deck and rolls through Hawthorn's seventh goal of the quarter. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 19.9 (123) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Jordan Lewis has just got up to 38 touches, that equals the all-time record for a man playing his 250th. He's been unstoppable. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 18.9 (117) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND LIONS Brisbane win the centre clearance and the high kick to half forward is marked strongly by Josh Schache. Kicking from 40 out, straight in front, he pulls it across to the right. Chance for three goals goes begging. BL - 13.9 (87) HAW - 18.9 (117) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Poor kick across half back from Daniel McStay is marked by Jon Ceglar, he gets it back to Brad Hill and Hill's set shot from 40 out is good. He celebrates with a traditional indigenous dance and the Hawks are well and truly home. BL - 13.8 (86) HAW - 18.9 (117) Q4: 7'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Cyril Rioli with a crushing tackle on Christensen in the middle of the ground to earn the free kick, Shaun Burgoyne takes advantage before sending an absolute bullet to Ben McEvoy at full forward. Kicking from 20 out on a slight angle, it's straight through. Game over. BL - 13.8 (86) HAW - 17.9 (111) Q4: 9'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL LIONS Lewis Taylor goes on a dashing run along half forward, Luke Breust elects to push instead of tackle, so Taylor is allowed to fumble and recover before kicking his third goal of the afternoon. Game on? BL - 13.8 (86) HAW - 16.9 (105) Q4: 10'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Still a little bit of spice in this one following the spotfires in the third quarter. Lots of instances of a player dragging their opponent of a teammate after the ball-up has been called. BL - 12.8 (80) HAW - 16.9 (105) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Good to see Brisbane still having a go despite the game looking to have got away from them. It'd be very unfair on them if they let the margin get beyond 30. BL - 12.8 (80) HAW - 16.9 (105) Q4: 12'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND LIONS Tom Bell running towards goal sends a looping handball inboard, but Sam Mitchell is able to fist it over the line. BL - 12.8 (80) HAW - 16.9 (105) Q4: 13'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS Dayne Zorko tries to crash through a pack of Hawthorn players in defense, but Cyril Rioli wraps him up and wins the free kick. A 'Cyril' chant rings around the Gabba as he runs in from 20 out, and he slots the potentially back-breaking goal. BL - 12.7 (79) HAW - 16.9 (105) Q4: 13'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS And just like that! Hawthorn win the centre clearance and kick it forward, two Brisbane defenders fail to pick the ball up, Ben McEvoy gathers, hands off to Cyril Rioli and his hurried snap is straight through. Very hard for Brisbane now. BL - 12.7 (79) HAW - 15.9 (99) Q4: 15'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL HAWKS More poor decision making from Brisbane gives the ball back to the Hawks, and Jordan Lewis takes the great one-on-one mark on the 50. He plays on and kicks to Paul Puopolo in the goal square, but Lewis can do no wrong this afternoon, with his pass missing the target and instead rolling through for a goal. BL - 12.7 (79) HAW - 14.9 (93) Q4: 15'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Hawthorn buckling a little up forward under some immense Brisbane pressure, but the Lions have executed very poorly when they've won the ball back. BL - 12.7 (79) HAW - 13.9 (87) Q4: 16'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND HAWKS A perfect kick to half forward Paul Puopolo is marked by Luke Breust, but his set shot from the elbow misses to the near side. BL - 12.7 (79) HAW - 13.9 (87) Q4: 17'