Brisbane took Hawthorn's best punch, wobbled and eventually landed a knockout blow of their own to earn a crucial four premiership points at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The 12.13 (85) to 10.6 (66) victory was the Lions' third straight against the Hawks and entrenches them in the top-eight at the mid-point of the season.
They now have a 7-4 win-loss record, but it wasn't easy.
Just like it did in round one when spotting West Coast a 27-point quarter-time lead before over-running the premier, Brisbane again got off to a slow start.
And the result finished the same.
They conceded the first five goals, trailed by 25 at the first break and did not hit the lead until late in the third quarter.
When the game was on the line in the fourth term, Brisbane's midfield was exceptional.
Where they ran out of legs against Fremantle in last Sunday's one-point loss, the Lions went up a gear late this week.
They had 15 more contested possessions than Hawthorn in the final quarter alone and won the count 145-118 overall.
After again being troubled by poor goalkicking for much of the night, it took two pieces of magic to put the game beyond doubt.
Leading by a goal at the 17-minute mark, Cam Rayner volleyed a ball from waist high almost on the goal-line to give his team some breathing space.
From the next centre clearance skipper Dayne Zorko launched a 70m bomb that somehow found its way over a pack of wrestling players 15m out to bounce through and seal the victory.
Jarryd Lyons (33 disposals and 12 in the last quarter) had one of his best games for his new club, while Lachie Neale (30) continued his marvelous season.
Lewy Taylor (28 and one goal) was terrific.
Harris Andrews was magnificent in defence, as was his sidekick Darcy Gardiner, who kept Jack Gunston goalless.
It was a rough night for Hawthorn after it promised so much.
Chad Wingard left the field with a hamstring injury and did not play in the fourth quarter.
James Sicily could also come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer after a first quarter incident with Lincoln McCarthy.
Some distance off the ball, Sicily hit McCarthy in the stomach, sending the Lion crumpling to the ground in obvious discomfort.
McCarthy required attention before he was able to resume.
