With Saturday's clash against Hawthorn fast-approaching, there's no better time to throwback to the Lions' stunning 56-point victory over the Hawks earlier this season.

The opposition opened Round 9 with a bang, jumping to an early 18-point lead as the Lions inched their way back to within 5-points at the first break. 

It was still anyone's game at the main break as the Lions held the lead by only two goals.

A defining play midway through the third quarter - Hugh McCluggage burst from half-back, handballed to Dan McStay who pulled a clever kick across his body into the path of Jarrod Berry who spotted Charlie Cameron all alone in the goalsquare - set the Lions up to steamroll Hawthorn.

Everything was going the Lions way as the match wore on.

Matty Eagles took his first career goal in the final term, a checkside from 35m out to bring the loudest cheer of the day.

From that moment on, Lions fans were on their feet, the 'Lions Chant' was back at the Gabba.

The final siren sounded and the smile on every Lions player's face said it all - 20.9 (129) to 11.7 (73).

It was the Lions’ first win over Hawthorn since 2009.

Second-year midfielder Hugh McCluggage finished with a career-high 27 disposals (16 contested) and had a major influence while the match was up for grabs.

Young forward Eric Hipwood was unstoppable, kicking four goals.

Luke Hodge was excellent against the team he played 305 games and won four premierships with, but it was a mix of old and new that helped the Lions get off the mark in 2018.

For Chris Fagan, this was a reward he believed his men truly deserved.

"It's great for our group, it gives them some positive reinforcement for what they've been doing all year," he said.

"Tonight we got that bit of nourishment from winning a game of football.

"It'll give them a little bit of confidence."

This Saturday the Lions will have their chance to make it two from two over Hawthorn in Tasmania.

A win this weekend would make it the first time since 2006-07 that the Lions beat Hawthorn in consecutive clashes and the frist time since 2013 they have won three games in a row.