Where and when: Aurora Stadium, Saturday, July 17, 2.10pm AEST
Head to head: Hawthorn 22 wins, Brisbane Lions 16 wins
Last time: Brisbane Lions 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn 7.9 (51), round 12, 2009 at Aurora Stadium

MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Jed Adcock (foot) - 3 weeks
Matt Austin (leg) - season
Donald Barry (sinus) - season
Callum Bartlett (knee) - season
Jonathan Brown (abdominal strain) - test
Jamie Charman (ankle) - season
Josh Drummond (knee) - 5 weeks
Mitch Golby (knee) - season
Matt Maguire (foot) - test
Andrew Raines (quad) - TBC
Troy Selwood (glute) - TBC

Hawthorn
Max Bailey (knee) - indefinite
Rhan Hooper (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks
Sam Mitchell (hand) - test

FORM
Hawthorn:WWWWL
Brisbane Lions: LLLLL

SUMMARY

Close to pulling off unlikely victories against last year's grand finalists, these sides have some momentum leading into this clash. The Hawks fell just short to Geelong and the Lions were finally worn down by St Kilda.

However, the Hawks' form is far stronger. They are just inside the eight but many are rating them a much better premiership chance than many of the sides positioned above them.

Brad Sewell is starting to find some touch after what has been a lean year for him, while Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli are as dangerous as ever.

The Lions have been criticised for being too reliant on their older players but youngsters Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff and Daniel Rich were the driving force behind their near upset over the Saints last week.

PLAYER TO WATCH
This week, Chance Bateman becomes the first indigenous player to play 150 games for the Hawks. One of the hardest working players in the team, Bateman is also one of the more consistent and has been a regular contributor during the side's various poor patches over the past 18 months. His teammates will want to get over the line for him in this one.

After form and injury worries, Brendan Fevola showed glimpses of his best with four goals last week. Hawthorn's major weakness has long been identified as its lack of tall defenders, which could be a worry with Fev on song.

QUESTION MARKS
Do the Hawks have a big advantage at Aurora Stadium? The trip to Tasmania didn't worry the Lions this time last year but that was when Hawthorn was at its lowest ebb.

What difference will Jonathan Brown make if he plays? It is still unclear if the skipper will make his comeback from injury for the Lions this week but if he does it will have a huge effect. The Hawks will have a hard enough time planning for Fevola and would be stretched thin if they have to factor in Brown as well.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
As promising as the Lions looked last week, it's hard to see how they could carry that into another week. The Hawks have been one of the best sides in the competition over the past two months and should win quite comfortably.


Chat with host Stu Warren and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 1.40pm AEST Saturday or join the conversation on Twitter: #aflhawkslions

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.