The standard has been set for the Brisbane Lions for the rest of the 2016 season.

Sustained effort, strong attack on the ball, tackles that stuck, numbers to the contest - all the things that had deserted this team in recent weeks returned in spades against Hawthorn in front of 23,691 fans at the Gabba.

Senior players Pearce Hanley, Dayne Zorko, Allen Christensen, Mitch Robinson and Dan Merrett all stood up, while emerging names like Tom Bell, Dan McStay, Lewy Taylor, Nick Robertson, Tom Cutler, Sam Mayes, Rhys Mathieson and Josh Schache all had some great moments.

In the end, the class of the three-time Premiers proved too much as they prevailed by 48 points, in particular Cyril Rioli's five goals and Jordan Lewis with 42 possessions in his 250th AFL game.

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The final margin didn't do the Lions justice, their effort much improved after a number of below-par efforts from the young team - they hit the Gabba with determination and purpose that would have pleased their fans.

For much of the game, it was very similar to the narrow loss to the Sydney Swans last month at the same venue which had left fans so buoyant.

The Lions won the second term and went into the halftime break trailing by just 4 points on the back of winning contested possession 86-74 in the opening half, clearances 23-21 and inside 50s 29-25.

They maintained the effort in the third term and when Schache reacted brilliantly to snap for his second with the opening play of the final term, the home side found themselves within a goal.

But then a goal to Lewis and two pieces of brilliance from Rioli, all in the space of four minutes, took the game beyond the reach of the brave home team.

The Lions came again through Taylor's third goal in a strong return to form for the small forward, but it just wasn't enough as the Hawks iced the game and extended away as they are renowned for doing.

On a day when the Lions had plenty of good players across the field, Christensen showed real promise in a new role across half back with 31 possessions, eight rebound 50s and some smooth work in tight situations.

Bell has quickly become a Gabba crowd favourite and his four goals electrified the home fans, while Robinson had 14 contested possession amongst his 26 touches as well as seven clearance.

Zorko was again excellent, as he has been all season, with 23 possessions (10 contested), nine tackles, two goals, with McStay a standout in defence for the second week in a row with a number of key spoils.

Of the youngsters, Mathieson and Ben Keays showed plenty in tight - both with 15 disposals and 16 contested between them - while Schache again got right into the contest with a game-high eight marks, 13 disposals and two goals which could easily have been four.

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