FORM GUIDE
Hawthorn’s form is pretty clear considering they sit one game clear atop the AFL ladder on the back of 11 straight wins.

Their only loss in 2013 came at the hands of bogey side Geelong by seven points back in Round One.

In fact, the Hawks have lost just three of their past 28 matches – including last year’s Grand Final – by a combined total of 19 points.

So the Lions will understandably head into the match as rank outsiders given they are 14th on the ladder with four wins from 12 matches.

However, the Lions have proven capable of matching it with the competition’s best sides, having caused the two greatest upsets of the 2013 season already – against Essendon (Round 8) and Geelong (Round 13).

Last week’s phenomenal come-from-behind victory over the Cats should also give the team a significant confidence boost ahead of their tough Tasmanian road trip.

SELECTION TABLE
After making considerable changes at the selection table in recent weeks, the Lions look to have finally found a settled line-up.

The same 22 players who helped overcome Geelong last Sunday have retained their spot in the side for the time being, while Rohan Bewick, James Polkinghorne and Matt Maguire have also been added to the Lions’ 25-man squad for Sunday.

Bewick is fresh from a standout performance in the NEAFL in which he collected 35 disposals, grabbed 11 marks and booted three goals from the midfield.

Maguire could also be a chance to return for his first senior match since injuring his leg against the Western Bulldogs in Round One.

The strong defender has completed the past couple of games in the NEAFL and could prove a handy acquisition – particularly considering Hawthorn’s wealth of tall forwards.

The Hawks have been forced to leave Grant Birchall (knee), Brent Guerra (back) and Max Bailey (knee) at home for their trip south due to injury.

Isaac Smith and Brendan Whitecross – who are both set to return from injury – headline seven additions to Hawthorn’s squad, which also includes two potential first-gamers in Will Langford and Jonathan Ceglar.

Hawks star Cyril Rioli was also considered a chance to return this weekend, but looks likely to be eased back through the VFL with the Box Hill Hawks.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Hawthorn are the competition’s highest scoring side, and it’s no wonder considering they boast a forward line which features the likes of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and Jarryd Roughead – both of whom are among the AFL’s top six goal-kickers.

Add to that the likes of David Hale and Jack Gunston, and you can see how the Lions’ defence could be stretched.

Full-back Daniel Merrett and rookie Justin Clarke are the Lions’ biggest defenders, so seem the most likely candidates for Franklin and Roughead/Hale.

Patfull is also capable of competing against taller opponents, but would probably be more suited to the Gunston match-up.

Brent Staker and Matt Maguire (if named in the final side) could also provide other defensive options.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Since returning from a shoulder injury two weeks ago, Daniel Rich has been creating play from across half-back, rather than his usual position in the midfield.

The move has proven a master-stroke, with the recently re-signed Rich a key contributor to the Lions’ upset win over Geelong last Sunday.

With his raking left foot, the West Australian can not only deliver pin-point passes to his teammates up forward from defence, but can also be an attacking weapon if he finds himself within 70m from goal.

For the Hawks, with so much planning and attention being paid to the ‘big’ forwards, it’s sometimes easy to overlook Luke Breust, who is another potential match-winner.

Breust is one of the competitions’ premier small forwards and sits third on the Club’s goal-kicking list – behind Franklin and Roughead – with 23 goals (which is seven more than the Lions’ leading goal-kicker, Jonathan Brown).

MISSING IN ACTION
The Lions have an incredibly healthy list to choose from, with Claye Beams (knee) and Stephen Wrigley (knee) the only members of the playing list unavailable for selection.

The loss of Birchall and Guerra further compounds Hawthorn’s depleted backline, which has already lost Matthew Suckling and Ryan Shoenmakers for the season.

Rioli is another key player missing for the Hawks, but will be expected to return to senior action next week, while Paul Puopolo (quad) also couldn’t quite get up for this Sunday’s match in Launceston.

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions have lost their past three matches against Hawthorn by an average margin of 10 goals.

Interestingly, four of the past five encounters between these two sides have been hosted at Aurora Stadium, with the only exception being last year’s meeting at the MCG.

This means Hawthorn have not faced the Lions at the Gabba since 2008.

The Lions’ last win against the Hawks came in Round 12 of 2009 at Aurora Stadium, when a five-goal haul from Jonathan Brown helped secure a seven-goal victory.