The Hawks' hopes of a top-two finish slipped almost out of their grasp after a shock loss to the Power, and it clearly concerned Alastair Clarkson that so many of his players were off the boil in an important game. The Hawks have two weeks to rectify their form before finals and are expected to bounce back with a vengeance against the struggling Lions at their Launceston fortress. The Lions have lost 12 of their past 13 matches and, coming off an 87-point belting from Adelaide, face a monumental task to put up a competitive effort against the back-to-back premiers.
WHERE AND WHEN: Aurora Stadium, Saturday, August 29, 2.10pm AEST
FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE AT OUR MATCH CENTRE
LAST FIVE TIMES
R1, 2014, Hawthorn 21.13 (139) d Brisbane Lions 13.13 (91) at Aurora Stadium
R14, 2013, Hawthorn 21.17 (143) d Brisbane Lions 12.13 (85) at Aurora Stadium
R12, 2012, Hawthorn 19.21 (135) d Brisbane Lions 11.4 (70) at the MCG
R16, 2011, Hawthorn 16.9 (105) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at Aurora Stadium
R16, 2010, Hawthorn 17.16 (118) d Brisbane Lions 7.1 (43) at Aurora Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. No two teams have ever had such a long break between meetings; round one, 2014 to round 22, 2015. Luke Bruest and Jarryd Roughead kicked five goals each last time.
2. It will be a battle of the highest and lowest scoring sides this season. The Hawks average 110 points per game, while the Lions are ranked 18th with only 68 points per game.
3. Hawthorn has dominated the Lions since 2007, winning eight of the last nine – including four by more than 50 points.
4. The Hawks are almost untouchable at Aurora Stadium. They've strung together 14 victories in a row, have won their last five by more than 50 points and haven't lost in Launceston since round five, 2012.
5. Shutting down Hawthorn's uncontested possession game is critical to stopping Alastair Clarkson's side. The Hawks lead the League in this stat (256.4 per game).
6. The Hawks were off the boil against Port and that was reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings, with their eight highest-ranked players all dropping spots after the loss.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Whoever takes on Rioli.
In Friday night’s match against Port, Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli came into flight in the third term, setting up three goals, with his pass to Paul Puopolo in the dying seconds of the quarter setting up an after-the-siren goal that brought the Hawks back to within one point.
