Watch highlights from the last time the Hawks met the Lions

Best: Hawthorn - Gibson, Hodge, Mitchell, Franklin, Whitecross, Bailey, Ellis, Hale.
Brisbane Lions - Rockliff, Black, Redden, Hanley, Karnezis, Brown, Power.

Crowd: 14,604 at Aurora Stadium

It was a tight contest in Tasmania the last time the Hawks met the Lions, and it was only a final quarter that netted the Hawks six goals that ensured the Hawks would take the four points. Leading by just 15 points at the final change, it was Lance Franklin (two last quarter goals) and Josh Gibson who was best on ground from defence that were the difference.

Looking ahead

A ferocious Lions outfit recorded an unexpected win over the top of the ladder Eagles in their last match, in Round 10 (having had the bye last week). The Lions hunted the Eagles, out tackling a side that has built their recent good form on their ability to pressure the opposition.

The Lions won the tackle count 81-60 and managed to win the clearance count 45-44 despite the Eagles being one of the best clearance sides in the league.

Coach Michael Voss said that his players’ ability to win the ball back off the opposition was the most pleasing aspect and the driving force behind the win.

“You’ve got to get your fundamentals right and that’s being able to win your ball, being able to get the ball back off your opposition, create turnovers, put pressure on their backs and that gives you the chance to be able to compete against any side,” he said.

The Eagles and Hawks are the best disposers of the football in the competition, with a disposal efficiency rating of 75 per cent. It seems that the match-up with the Hawks has come at the right time for the Lions, given their pressure blueprint was successful against a side that is usually so good with ball in hand.

The Lions managed to get the Eagles’ disposal efficiency down to 73 per cent, and while it’s not a big number, it certainly makes a difference when forwards aren’t being hit lace out. If the Lions can replicate that pressure, and the ability to win the footy at the stoppages, then that will put the Hawks back six under pressure.

Josh Drummond’s is re-capturing the damaging form of 2009 when he was rated as one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition. His game against the Eagles in particular, where he gathered 26 disposals, four inside 50s, eight rebound 50s and kicked three goals was arguably his best game since 2009. The Hawks will need to ensure he isn’t given the opportunity to use his skills to set up the Lions from half back, as he can often be the barometer for Brisbane.

Brad Sewell has played a vital role in the Hawks’ ability to shut down their opponents’ midfield group, with his grunt work in the middle invaluable to the Hawks’ ability to get the ball out in space. Sewell’s 33 possessions, eight clearances and eight inside 50s against Port, while restricting his direct opponent, Hamish Hartlett to just 12 disposals shows how important he is to the Hawks. He will no doubt have another tough assignment against the Lions, possible on young gun Tom Rockliff.



Sam Mitchell: “They’ve got a little bit of versatility now with (Daniel) Merrett doing a few different things, and when you think about Brisbane, Jonathan Brown is always a threat. But guys like Rockliff and Redden are very important players, and very good players.”



Kaan Yariz on Facebook: “I would have Sewell play on Rockliff - a similar role when he played on Hartlett last week. The first priority (would be) to think and play defensively. I would also have a player negating Redden as these two players provide so much drive for the Lions. Brown looms as the danger man again and has shown in the past if the Hawks midfield don't apply pressure to Lions midfielders, Brown swallows anything that gets in he's way.”