There is any number of reasons to be impressed with Brisbane's extraordinary transformation this year into a premiership contender.

However, chief among them during the Lions' six-match winning march since the bye might be the different ways they can beat the opposition.

They have an argument to be considered the AFL's most versatile team.

Saturday's victory over Hawthorn was the latest case, with Alastair Clarkson's in-form Hawks having more of the Sherrin, boasting 15 extra inside 50s, winning the territory battle and scoring more from stoppages.

Forward line pressure ▶️ Goal pic.twitter.com/hWrhvUqLyZ

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) July 27, 2019

That is usually a recipe for disaster for the other team – and it may have been for Brisbane had Hawthorn been more accurate than its 7.18 scoreline, as Lions coach Chris Fagan noted post-game.

Even then, the Lions still had to find a way.

The defensive-minded Hawks strangled Brisbane enough to keep it to 40 inside 50s for the afternoon, yet Fagan's men broke the match open with excellent efficiency.

They scored 5.1 from eight inside 50s in the third quarter and tackled Hawthorn's zone with, in part, more long kicks than the norm and went the wing route out of defensive 50 more often.

Brisbane also adapted well to Launceston's University of Tasmania Stadium, where it has won consecutive matches over the Hawks.

"Our method of play on grounds like this, in conditions like this, is probably fairly effective," Fagan said.

"We finished up with about 600 more metres gained (than Hawthorn), even though we had less possession."

The table below illustrates how difficult it is to plan for the Lions, given they aren't wed to one way of moving the ball, although they are a high-kicking, low-handballing side.

That victory over the Demons was noteworthy in this discussion, too.

Brisbane monstered Melbourne in the contest, which enabled it to attack through the corridor more and pile on huge points from this source.

Almost 31 per cent of the Lions' scoring chains that day started from the centre bounce, a figure more than double any other game in this current streak.

It contrasted wildly with Brisbane's triumph over Greater Western Sydney the following week, when the Giants gave the Lions a caning in the same area – forcing them to again find another way.

The Lions have consistently been strong in scoring from intercepts in general and in the forward half, where they've typically – bar the Hawthorn exception – worn teams down with repeat entries.

Their ability to punish GWS turnovers, along with a four-goal-to-one opening term, was crucial to them running out 20-point winners at Giants Stadium.

Fagan told reporters afterwards: "We find a way to score."

The ideal scenario for Brisbane, like most teams, is to crush the opposition in groundball and stubbornly refuse to let the ball out of its forward half.

But unlike the majority of sides, these Lions have a Plan B, C, and D – and a brand of football that stands up in adversity.

* All differentials, except points from forward-half possession gains