IN HIS 250th game, Jordan Lewis had a blinder and lifted Hawthorn to a runaway 48-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
The contest see-sawed for much of the day, but the Hawks stormed all over the top of the Lions, kicking nine goals to three in the last quarter to win 21.9 (135) to 13.9 (87).
In their first game at the Gabba since 2008, it was hard work for the three-time reigning premier against a Lions team that played their best game in a month.
Lewis had 36 disposals by the last change and finished with 42 for the day, including an early final-quarter goal that put the nail in the Lions' coffin.
"He played with great spirit and had the most touches on the oval and played a variety of roles for us, whether it was a little bit of wing, a little bit of forward and a little bit of on-ball for us too, so we were really pleased with the contribution he made," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"With (Luke) Hodge out of the side and obviously Roughy (Jarryd Roughead) is another one in our leadership group who isn't there, we are relying on our more senior men like (Josh) Gibson and (Shaun) Burgoyne, (Sam) Mitchell, Lewis to carry the load in that regard, and I thought, they, and particularly Jordan, did well in that regard."
Cyril Rioli was also a major influence, kicking five goals and terrorising the Lions defenders.
He kicked one late in the third term, then with the game still on the line, kicked two early in the fourth, with one from a trademark rundown tackle in the forward 50.
Five talking points: Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn
It wasn't easy for Hawthorn, who played for more than three quarters without defender Matt Spangher, who was taken off with a leg injury.
Isaac Smith and Will Langford also spent chunks of the first half off the field before returning and finishing out the game.
When it counted though, they were clinical, with Lewis and Rioli aided by Josh Gibson (26 touches), Grant Birchall (26), Jack Gunston (24 and two goals) and a strong ruckman's game from Ben McEvoy (14 touches and three goals).
After five straight losses, and the past three by more than 10 goals, the Lions were spirited and a touch unlucky for the score to blow out as it did.
They put in three-and-a-half quarters of wholehearted effort and endeavour.
Coach Justin Leppitsch said it was a "shame" to finish the way they did.
"No one likes having a seven-goal loss when it doesn't look that way," he said.
"They're a very good, very class outfit. We're still making a few too many errors, a few fundamentals of the game; missing the handball, kick, things like that."
After recently being dropped, Lewy Taylor played arguably his best game for the club, finishing with 23 disposals and three goals.
His relentless pressure would make coach Leppitsch smile.
Mitch Robinson (26 touches) did an excellent job running with Sam Mitchell (who had 24), while Allen Christensen (31), Sam Mayes (26) and Dan McStay were all excellent.
The Lions were enterprising in the first half and unlucky to trail by four points.
Showing desperation and an attack around the footy that's been lacking in recent weeks, they led by as much as 13 points during the second term before the Hawks' big names steadied the ship.
Goals to Shaun Bugoyne, Gunston, Luke Breust and Rioli in a 10-minute burst arrested the momentum and ensured a lead at the main break.
MEDICAL ROOM
Brisbane Lions: One positive for the Lions was coming through unscathed. Captain Tom Rockliff (hamstring) is a strong chance to return next week to further bolster the midfield.
Hawthorn: Matt Spangher was taken off early and did not return. It's unclear what type of injury he has, but Alastair Clarkson said he was highly unlikely to play next week. "It was down low, behind the knee, so I’m not sure if it’s the knee itself or if it's the hamstring," Clarkson said. Isaac Smith hobbled off with an ankle problem in the first term, and Will Langford spent time on the sidelines after being hammered by Trent West, but both returned.
NEXT UP
Hawthorn continues a friendly part of its draw next week, playing Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday. A win would see the Hawks hit the season's mid-point at 8-3. The Lions travel to Etihad Stadium to take on Carlton next Saturday in a match they would be hopeful of winning.
BRISBANE LIONS 2.4 8.6 10.7 13.9 (87)
HAWTHORN 4.1 9.4 12.7 21.9 (135)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Bell 4, Taylor 3, Zorko 2, Schache 2, Freeman, Robertson
Hawthorn: Rioli 5, McEvoy 3, Breust 2, Hill 2, Puopolo 2, Gunston 2, Sicily, Burgoyne, Smith, Lewis, O'Brien
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Robinson, Taylor, Christensen, McStay, Mayes, Zorko
Hawthorn: Lewis, Rioli, Burgoyne, Gibson, Breust, Gunston
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Hawthorn: Spangher (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Nicholls, Fleer
Official crowd: 23,691 at the Gabba
