This one certainly had the potential to be game of the round (even if the time slot didn’t acknowledge that) and even though it didn’t live up to that billing, it was still a highly entertaining affair.
Brisbane were coming off a couple of horror weeks with the draw to North and the loss to Melbourne at home last week and would have been hungry to get back on the winners list, while Hawthorn were also coming off a loss – going down to Gold Coast in Darwin – and have yet to really hit their straps this year.
With big names on both sides of the team list facing some criticism over the season, everything was set for a big game with an opportunity to find some real form heading towards the bye rounds.
It was a hesitant start to the game, as both teams tried to feel each other out. Brisbane made the first move and grabbed the first two goals of the game through Logan Morris thanks to relentless pressure, particularly in their forward half.
But it didn’t take long for the Hawks to also get started, and a free to Connor MacDonald saw them hit the scoreboard. From there it felt the game moved into second gear and the Hawks started putting on the pressure.
Both teams struggled to execute clean forward 50 entries, but equally, both teams struggled to exit from defence.
A howler of a kick in from Dayne Zorko lead to a late Blake Hardwick goal, and the Hawks took early honours with a quarter time lead of four points.
It didn’t take long for the game to go up another notch during the second quarter after an ear massage on Macdonald from Harris Andrews sparked some physical rebuttal and both teams stepped up their hunt for the ball.
Brisbane snapped up the first two goals before momentum swung the way of Hawthorn for the majority of the quarter, and they were able to keep the ball locked in their end of the ground.
They were unable to capitalise on the momentum, though, and kept letting themselves down when it came to inside 50 entries, only putting two goals on the board.
For a time, scores remained level, until Charlie Cameron entered the game. In a flick of a switch, he exploded to kick three goals in quick succession. Another major slotted by Levi Ashcroft suddenly saw the tight contest firmly in the Lions favour and going into half-time with a handy 23 point lead.
With a few warning signs starting to sound for Hawthorn, they needed to find a way to score.
They opted for slower kick-mark ball movement, but still took the fight up to Brisbane.
They were able to start winning the contested ball and finding a way to slingshot off half-back, but once again were let down by their work up forward.
It was a goal for goal term that, for all Hawthorn’s efforts, they only won by two behinds, leaving them with a mountain of work to do in the final term.
It was apparent early that the comeback would not be on. Not for a lack of trying, but the Hawks couldn’t find a way to sort of out their attacking issues.
Brisbane seemed eager to turn around their bad run of last quarter efforts with a couple of quick forward 50 entries, and when Callum Ah Chee put the margin beyond 30 points the day was done.
The Lions were happy to take the heat out of the game and began chipping the ball around and winding down the clock, running out winners by a comfortable 33 points for their first win against Hawthorn at the MCG since 2004.
Point of difference
For much of the game, it felt like the two teams were incredibly even. It was a battle of the defences, with both were able to stop the other moving and clamped down in defensive 50 to make every goal hard fought.
In a game like that, you have to take the most of every opportunity. Brisbane did, Hawthorn didn’t. If felt like they couldn’t buy a goal as set shot after set shot went wayward and many forward entry kicks were able to be picked off by the Brisbane defenders.
But the biggest disappointment from the Hawks was the drop in pressure. After half-time the ferocity and composure went missing for Hawthorn, opening up the game and letting Brisbane get cleaner inside 50 entries.
Most damning was the lack of tackling pressure, as the team only laid five tackles in the second quarter compared to Brisbane’s 17, losing the stat 36 to 59 over the course of the game.
This may have been forgiven if they had been channelling their focus into attack, but despite winning the hitouts 50-26 they lost clearance 24-41 and had very few smooth passages of play.
Overall, it just looked like Brisbane wanted it more after a couple of weeks of being criticised for not showing any hunger.
Day out for Ah Chee
In a repeat of his performance on Grand Final day Callum Ah Chee was a force to be reckoned with up forward and slotted through four goals. He took an equal game-high ten marks, many of which were contested, and notched up 20 disposals to be a force up forward on a day when forwards were generally having a tough time and surely did enough to get a few votes in the midfielders’ medal.
He was joined by a couple of cameos from the duo of Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner who both only needed a few moments to do their damage. Cameron’s three quick goals at the end of the second term swung the game heavily in Brisbane’s favour and Rayner after having no impact in the first half was able to slot through two crucial goals to put to rest any chance of a Hawks comeback.
Form Slump continues for Sicily
It was another day that James Sicily would probably rather forget. He was missing for much of the game, only having a short burst in the third term where he was able to set up some play from half-back. For most of the day though he was getting a hiding from Ah Chee and that was when he could keep near him. More than once, Sicily was all too happy to peel off and give his direct opponent time and space to get on the scoreboard. He also lost his cool (surprisingly) and gave away a 50-metre penalty for an easy shot for Ah Chee that all but finished off the game.
The loss certainly doesn’t fall all on his shoulders, though. Nick Watson was thoroughly beat by Noah Answerth who kept him to only four touches and a behind, while Mabior Chol couldn’t get himself in the game either, finishing with six touches and a behind. Josh Weddle, while trying hard, also had two shocking forward 50 entries that resulted in turnovers when he should have taken it upon himself to kick the goal.
The only real standout for the Hawks was Connor Macdonald who kicked three goals and Karl Amon and Harry Morrison also worked hard with 29 and 28 disposals. Everyone else surely copped an almighty spray from Sam Mitchell – who gave a bit of preview when he took out his frustrations in the coaches box.
200 for the club favourite
Some clubs say the players love the coach, but with the Lions there can be no doubt, they absolutely love Chris Fagan.
He notched up his 200th game as coach in style and somewhat aptly against the club where he used to work.
Fages looked eager to skip any celebrations and ran straight down into the rooms after the game but was dragged out by his team who wanted to honour the occasion. He declined the chairing off but did leave the ground to a guard of honour and joined in on the song.
Brisbane are still to be feared
Recent history is against the Lions, with three of the last four premiers missing finals the next year, and Melbourne going out in straight sets. They haven’t been overly convincing thus far this year, and yet they will finish the round in the top 2 with only two losses (and a draw). And if this is them while the wheels are wobbly, God help the rest of the comp if they manage to get back to their premiership form.
Today’s game was perhaps the best they’ve looked yet, with every player playing their part to keep the pressure on, and looking to be on the same page with their ball movement and positioning.
They always say you don’t want to peak too early in the season, so perhaps this has all been part of the grand plan, but signs are looking good for Brisbane to go deep in September once again.
Where are the Hawks at?
It’s fair to say that Hawthorn came into season 2025 with some pretty big expectations – some even had them as premiership favourites – but now after 11 rounds they’re not quite living up to that level.
They’ve only beaten one of the four top 8 teams they’ve played thus far (GWS by 12 points in Round 3) and have looked shaky when they haven’t been able to play their preferred running style.
It’s not panic stations just yet, but this was an opportunity to make a statement, and they have been left wanting. You’d think that they will be featured in September, but just how far they’ll go is bit more of a question mark.
With a tough lineup of games ahead against fellow top 8 sides before they hit their bye we might get a bit clear answer soon, and with the competition breathing down their neck they won’t want to drop more than one.
Up next for Brisbane they open up round 12 against Essendon back on their home turf. Brisbane have won six of their last seven meetings between the two and should get the job done against the struggling Bombers.
Hawthorn will have a much harder time when they face Collingwood the following night at the MCG. The last time they met it was 66 point thrashing in the favour of the Hawks but they will face a very different Collingwood side this time that will also be looking for a bit of redemption after a close game with North for three quarters.
