THE Brisbane Lions make the long trip south to Launceston this week to take on injury ravaged Hawthorn - but at least they're doing so after a win.

For just the third time this season the Lions got the premiership points against Port Adelaide on Sunday, and in further good news for Michael Voss, his team came through unscathed.

The same could not be said for the luckless Hawks, who continued their horror season of injuries, with Jordan Lisle (broken cheekbone) and Chance Bateman (ankle) the latest casualties from Sunday's 41-point loss to premiers Collingwood.

While Hawthorn has an impressive record at Aurora Stadium (18-10), the Lions don't have to think back too far to the last time they had success there.

In Michael Voss' first season in charge in 2009, the Lions came home with a 42-point win.

However they have been mauled on their other two visits there in 2008 and 2010, losing by 69 and 75 points respectively.

Forward scout

The club: Hawthorn

2011 so far: Despite a horrendous injury toll Hawthorn has marched into the top four with a 10-4 record. After a first-up loss to Adelaide the Hawks have only gone down to the top two sides, Geelong (twice) and Collingwood. This comes after losing key personnel Stephen Gilham (knee), Ben Stratton (knee), Jarryd Roughead (Achilles), Cyril Rioli (hamstring), Cameron Bruce (knee) and Brad Sewell (knee) among others. The Hawks are locked in a tight battle with West Coast for the crucial fourth spot and double chance in the finals.

The coach: Alastair Clarkson has again shown himself to be one of the most innovative coaches in the league. His 'cluster' was a big reason behind the 2008 premiership, and after disappointing campaigns the past two seasons, he has introduced a short-kicking, high-possession game plan that is working a treat. Clarkson is off contract at the end of the season and has been linked with Melbourne and Adelaide in the past week.

The star: When he's 'on', very few, if any, can stop Lance Franklin. The Hawks superstar might not be the most consistent player in the competition, but he's the most dynamic. He's athletic, strong overhead, good on the ground, can run up to the wing to get possessions if needed and has a booming left boot. Buddy has 43 goals for the season and sits two behind Jack Riewoldt in the Coleman Medal race. After Matt Maguire was soundly beaten by Jay Schulz last week, the job of marking Franklin might fall on Joel Patfull's shoulders.

The sleeper: It's hard to put Sam Mitchell in this category when he's had such an unbelievable season. The midfield general doesn't always get the praise he deserves but his numbers do the talking. He is second in disposals, first in uncontested possessions, loves to win the hard ball and is accurate by foot on both sides of his body. Mitchell is averaging 36 disposals (14 contested) over the past five matches and his match-up with Simon Black is a tantalising one.

The young gun: Why limit this category to just one player? With injury comes opportunity, and the Hawks youngsters have stepped up in the absence of their senior players. Luke Breust won this week's NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, Matt Suckling is a great kick, Shane Savage a smart midfielder who is deadly in front of goal, Liam Shiels a prolific ball winner and Isaac Smith quick and agile.

Strengths: Clarkson's high-possession game plan has proved hard to combat. The Hawks have exceptional foot skills and have shown great patience in breaking most zones or presses thrown at them (aside from Collingwood's). Their midfield works extremely hard to find space, as shown with four of its players - Mitchell, Grant Birchall, Shiels and Suckling - in the top eight for uncontested possessions in the competition. If you don't man-up and close down space, the Hawks pick you to pieces.

Weaknesses: Much like the Lions, injuries have decimated the Hawks defence. Gilham and Stratton went down early in the season, and with Lisle being adding to the list against Collingwood, they have very few talls in the back half. Josh Gibson has been terrific but is outsized by Jonathan Brown. As is often the case, if the Lions can get quality midfield ball and give their skipper a good supply, he is every chance of kicking a bagful of goals.

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting