UTAS Stadium saw some of the best football 17th-placed Hawthorn have played this season for coach Alastair Clarkson's third-last game.

The Hawks got off to a flying start with majors from Jaeger O'Meara, Chad Wingard (two goals total) and a pair for Luke Breust putting Brisbane on the ropes early.

Breust proved to be the fire in the Hawks' belly, slugging his way through Lions backs and collecting a nifty three goals.

However, in the third quarter, the 30-year-old fell awkwardly on his leg as teammate Dylan Moore kicked his second for the game, grimacing briefly before being aided off the field.

"I don't think it's significantly serious but sometimes these things bite you in the backside once you get a scan," Clarkson said.

"We'll get that scanned early in the week, but we're hopeful he's been able to avoid a 12-month type of ligament injury."

An evasive Hawks midfield meant the Lions had a hard time piecing together attacks as stray kick after stray kick fell into the hands of the home team.

Lions coach Chris Fagan wasn't ready to call the match an upset, pointing to quality games the Hawks had played throughout their lackluster season.

"They've been a team that's been pretty good against some teams all throughout the year," he said.

"When you play them here at this oval, and given the week they've had, I'm pretty sure they were always going to react for Clarko because of their enormous respect for him."

After about four years off the field, Nakia Cockatoo made his much-anticipated return to footy in style by kicking Brisbane's first goal to start the second quarter.

"Nakia, it's been a long time between drinks in terms of playing AFL football," Fagan said.

"He showed some promising signs today, and hopefully he can build on that for the rest of the year."

A goal from Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage not long after, as well as a string of quality marks put the Hawks on notice.

But the young Hawthorn team showed maturity in protecting its lead with goals of its own.

Entering the second half with a four-goal lead, it appeared that everything was going the Hawks' way.

It was their constrictive effort in the centre that continued to pressure Brisbane, led by Conor Nash, the veteran Shaun Burgoyne and a feisty Tom Phillips who added a goal to his Sunday efforts.

Clarkson said the game was the first opportunity to get Nash some exposure in the midfield.

"He's a big lad, he comes from a rugby background so he doesn't mind the rough and tumble," he said.

"We're really pleased with what he's able to provide in that part of the ground."

A floundering Lions back-line had all sorts of trouble clearing the ball, with their own midfielders making dangerous decisions and crumbling under Hawthorn's pressure.

This lack of cohesion bled into the Lions' forward line, whose lack of chained attacks highlighted their underwhelming form.

A bullish Daniel McStay was a silver lining for an otherwise disappointing performance for the top-five Lions, taking a number of contested marks and kicking four goals.

"Dan McStay is definitely a very selfless, team-oriented player and I'm always pleased when he hits the scoreboards from time to time," Fagan said.

The Lions started to find some semblance of aggression in the closing term of the match thanks to a string of goals from Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Tom Fullarton and Joe Daniher.

"At probably about five minutes to go I thought 'close enough', if we continue to with our momentum we might be able to get there," Fagan said.

"But it wasn't to be, I guess that's a positive from the game though after being out-played for three quarters we were able to show a fair bit of character as a team.

"Ultimately, the best side on the day won the game - well deserved by Hawthorn."

However, by then the Hawks had established an insurmountable lead.

"We were really pleased with our first three quarters, and everybody ran out of puff and Brisbane started moving forward a whole lot quicker," Clarkson said.

"They had nothing to lose, they tried to get themselves back in the game.

"They just toyed with a bit of free spirit, they're a very experienced and talented side ... we just couldn't run the whole four quarters out of them unfortunately."

Hawthorn is scheduled to return to Launceston next week to tango with Collingwood, while the Lions have a planned date with Fremantle.

Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?

The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.

Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.

Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.