Hawthorn has pulled off an upset over premiership contender Brisbane with a five-point win at University of Tasmania Stadium on Sunday.

The Hawks slipped behind by as much as 22 points during the third term before fighting back late to record a scintillating 18.9 (117) to 17.10 (112) victory in a dramatic finish.

The Lions took a four-point edge into the fourth quarter, but it was the Hawks who stood tall, kicking five goals to four in the last term to run out 18.9 (117) to 17.10 (112) winners.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Hawthorn and keeps it within touch of the top eight.

The first quarter was a free-flowing, high-scoring affair, with 11 goals kicked between the sides.

Brisbane jumped out of the blocks, kicking four of the first five goals, at one stage leading by 20 points before the Hawks lifted and got the game back on level terms.

Charlie Cameron marked with 23 seconds on the clock, and his goal after the siren - his only touch for the quarter - handed the Lions a six-point advantage at the first change.

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell was pivotal in the Hawks' early resurgence, finishing the term with 13 possessions, four clearances and a goal, while teammate Sam Butler kicked the first goal of his fledgling career.

The second term was equally as good, with Hawthorn kicking five goals to three to take a one-point margin into half-time. Chad Wingard and Butler both added a second goal to their tally, as did Cameron.

Lincoln McCarthy, who kicked the opening goal of the game after a minute, needed just 20 seconds after half-time to put the Lions back in front.

Brisbane kicked the next three goals to jump out to a 22-point lead, and just when it appeared the Lions would assert their authority, the Hawks came again with the final three goals of term through Mitch Lewis, Dylan Moore and Harry Morrison.

Hawthorn reclaimed the lead inside the first minute of the final term when Moore kicked his second, making it a perfect 10.0 from set shots for the home side, but Daniel Rich's goal a minute later swung the margin back in the Lions' favour.

The Lions' advantage didn't last long, however, as Lewis added his third from straight in front, with the Hawks going nine points ahead when Luke Breust, who had been well held to that point, swooped on a loose ball and dribbled it through.

That margin became 16 points when Lewis landed a 55-metre bomb with less than eight minutes remaining.

Jack Payne gave Brisbane some hope when he kicked a goal with less than two minutes to play, but when Cameron's late dribble kick at goal missed, the deal had been sealed.

Dayne Zorko snapped a major with two seconds remaining, but it mattered little, as Hawthorn notched its fourth win of the year.

HAWTHORN                      5.2          10.3        13.5        18.9 (117)
BRISBANE                            6.2          9.8          13.9        17.10 (112)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Butler 2, Moore 2, Breust, Frost, Lynch, Mitchell, Morrison, Newcombe, Shiels
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Prior 3, McCarthy 2, Berry, Fort, Fullarton, McInerney, Neale, Payne, Rayner, Rich, Zorko

BEST
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Mitchell, Lewis, Sicily, Nash, O'Meara
Brisbane: Rich, Lyons, Coleman, McInerney, Zorko, Neale

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Day (ankle)
Brisbane: McCluggage (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Kyle Hartigan (replaced Will Day)
Brisbane: Mitch Robinson (replaced Hugh McCluggage)