HAWTHORN is out to reach its first Grand Final since 2015 and at the same time end Brisbane's hopes of claiming a premiership three-peat. 

Hawthorn and Brisbane meet in a final for the first time with a place in the decider up for grabs. The Hawks are arguably the form side of the competition after they rolled over Fremantle on the road to book a home preliminary final, while only losing once in their past eight matches. But that sole defeat was a hefty one and came against the Lions to leave coach Sam Mitchell with many lessons to be learned before the Hawks aim to reach a first decider in 11 seasons.

The Lions are into their fifth consecutive preliminary final and their sixth in seven years as they continue their campaign for a third straight premiership. Just as in the past two seasons when they went on to win the flag, Chris Fagan's side will have to navigate a Saturday twilight preliminary final at the MCG to book a return trip for the following weekend. The Lions showed signs of finals fatigue as they were dismantled by the undermanned Sydney before their irrepressible best was back on display as they made light work of Adelaide. With a three-match winning streak against the Hawks and eight victories in their past 10 trips to the MCG, the Lions should be full of confidence as they return to familiar territory.  

Hawthorn escaped from its qualifying final with Mitch Lewis' shoulder the only fresh injury concern. The key forward has since proved his fitness in training, while ruck Ned Reeves is available, though the Hawks seem unlikely to tinker with a winning formula. Brisbane will hope to call on Noah Answerth after he shut down Nick Watson in round 22, though the defender is in a race against time to overcome an ankle injury. Ty Gallop did nothing wrong in the win against the Crows but would be the most likely to make way. Lions young gun Logan Morris is expected to be fit to take on the Hawks after he nursed a sore calf late in the semi-final.

Where and when: MCG, Saturday September 19, 5.15pm AEST

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?

Round 22: Brisbane 18.17 (125) defeated Hawthorn 8.10 (58) at the Gabba

The Lions roared back into the top four with a resounding triumph against the Hawks, less than a week after conceding 154 points to the Blues. The two-time reigning premiers responded to their humiliating defeat in emphatic fashion as they won the contested ball battle by +11 and opened up the Hawks in familiar style with 94 uncontested marks. Will Ashcroft (39 disposals, seven clearances) continued his strong run of form for the Lions, Kai Lohmann booted five goals and Logan Morris broke the game open with four first-half majors. Jai Newcombe battled hard for the Hawks with 25 disposals and 11 clearances, while Jack Gunston kicked three goals.

THE STATS THAT MATTER

Hawthorn

The Hawks were ranked fourth for points conceded and third for scores per inside-50 against during the home and away campaign and tightened the screws further in the qualifying final win against the Dockers. The minor premiers were restricted to only five goals – their lowest tally this year - from 57 inside-50s as the Hawks' ferocious intensity forced the Dockers into hurried kicks and turnovers. Sam Mitchell's side also had the Dockers' back six wilting under their manic pressure as they coughed up 32 defensive-half turnovers - their most in a game this season – in a full-field masterclass.

Brisbane

The Lions shook off a humbling defeat to the Swans as only they can as they went on to demolish the Crows starting with five goals in a seven-minute burst from the opening ball-up. The two-time reigning premiers have now lost five games by more than 40 points this season and have bounced back to win the next week on three occasions, with the two outliers coming in back-to-back matches as part of a mid-season slump. But while the Lions maintained the perfect record of the 13 teams to lose a qualifying final by 50 points or more since 2000 to respond with a semi-final win, they will have to overturn history of all 12 previous sides then losing their preliminary final.  

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR ...

Hawthorn

James Sicily worked his way through an at times indifferent season to earn a spot in the All-Australian squad. But he saved his best for when the stakes rose with an imperious performance in the Hawks' stirring qualifying final win over the Dockers. The co-captain led the way with 26 disposals, a game-high 12 intercept possessions and seven score involvements as he not only turned defence into attack but also shut down Patrick Voss. Sicily gave the Dockers' barometer an almighty send-off as the Hawks' victory was confirmed at the final siren and he can expect to be handed another critical role against the Lions. The 31-year-old has spent time on the Lions' young key forward Logan Morris in the past and another defensive clinic would go a long way to booking the Hawks a grand final spot.

Brisbane

Cam Rayner was one of several Lions forwards to come under fire for a poor performance in the back-to-back premiers' loss to the Swans. But the former No.1 pick responded to his goalless qualifying final in the best possible way as he turned on the highest-rated match of his career with 22 disposals, 11 score involvements and two goals in the win against the Crows. Rayner sent an early reminder that he is part beauty and part beast as he took on Alex Neal-Bullen with a punishing "don't argue" to race to within range and slot a sublime team-lifting goal. The 26-year-old is a proven big-game player who can flip a contest in a matter of minutes with a sudden explosion of goals, and his best might still be to come.

PREDICTION

Brisbane was back to its best as it blew away Adelaide with a seven-minute burst from the first ball-up to set up a resounding semi-final victory. The two-time reigning premiers have shown in recent years that they can respond as well as any side to a lacklustre performance like they put in against the Swans then go on a powerful winning run. Hawthorn ambushed minor premiers Fremantle to earn a week off and a home preliminary final as it continues to build on its recent finals campaigns. But the Hawks' midfield depth will find the battle-hardened Lions too much to handle. Brisbane by 17 points. 

BRISBANE is into its fourth straight Grand Final after an absolute classic of a preliminary final, defeating Hawthorn by nine points in a match that will go straight into the history books.

Co-captain Hugh McCluggage kicked truly after Jarman Impey was pinged – perhaps harshly – for holding the ball in front of goal with just 36 seconds left, and Brisbane hit the lead.

Kai Lohmann's fifth goal, coming after the siren, sewed up the 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122) triumph, which saw 12 majors kicked in the final term between the two sides.

HAWKS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

It was a true heavyweight bout, dominated by the small forwards, with Nick Watson doing all in his power to drag Hawthorn over the line.

Brisbane had led by as much as 28 points in the fourth term, but Hawthorn had absolutely nothing to lose, and weren't going to die wondering.

They say the preliminary finals are often louder than the Grand Finals, and it was certainly the case as 97,835 people at the MCG completely and utterly lost their minds, with the most human and primal wall of noise that greeted Hawthorn's comeback. 

Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston dragged the margin back to an eminently gettable 16 points, Impey brought down Charlie Cameron with every inch of desperation he could muster, and the Wizard, the Wizard, the Wizard … Watson, the shortest man on the field, took the Hawks on his back and booted two goals – his fifth and sixth – to snatch back the lead.

McCluggage, who has battled plenty of set shot demons over the years, took the lead back with four-and-a-half minutes on the clock with the steadiest of conversions.

Then it was Mitch Lewis' turn with a pack-crashing mark that blew the non-existent roof off the MCG all the way down the Monash Freeway to Dingley, and the Hawks had the lead.

Three minutes left.

Tom Barrass took the gutsiest of intercept marks, man in front, with four bearing down behind him.

Two minutes left.

Hawthorn skipper James Sicily stood tall with an intercept mark after another deep Brisbane entry.

Ninety seconds left.

A deliberate out of bounds was paid against Lewis, which gave the ball back to the Lions.

60 seconds left.

Then that fateful free kick for no genuine attempt was paid against Impey, McCluggage converted, and Brisbane has a chance to win its third consecutive flag.

Both sides threw punches throughout that would have knocked out lesser sides, but given both the stakes and the talent on show, everyone kept coming back for more.

Ryan Lester was initially charged with the toughest role in football – trying to keep a tight rein on Watson – but the Wizard set the tone from the first minute, powering to the front of the pack and soccering truly, before taking advantage of a free for holding.

Each Watson major was quickly met by a Brisbane goal, and there was no chance the Lions were going to be caught napping like Fremantle was against the Hawks a few weeks ago.

The goalkicking in the first term from both teams was immaculate, with Lewis, Will Ashcroft, Eric Hipwood and Conor McKenna all pulling out absolute pearlers, whether it was a set shot, on the run, around the body or the most precise of soccer strikes, fans were treated to an absolute exhibition.

But the issue with a team pulling goals out of its proverbial is that it's very hard to keep up over four quarters, and without a steady, consistent supply to attack, the Lions' scoring began to dry up.

Hawthorn's tall defenders – and floating ruck Lloyd Meek – stood up well under the high ball, which Brisbane bafflingly continued to send in their direction throughout most of the second term.

At the same time, the Hawks' ground brigade was using the ball smartly, whether it was by conventional disposal or taps, bumps, flicks or spoils, managing to match the Lions' much-vaunted and deep midfield.

Mistakes appeared to be compounding for Brisbane. Darcy Fort had a bizarre brain-fade and attempted to drag Josh Weddle out of a ruck contest, and the Hawks were up by 22.

But they're back-to-back premiers for a reason. Kai Lohmann – barely sighted to that point – was the beneficiary of a generous free kick and capitalised, before Cameron's third (another addition to the highlight reel) and the Lions were back in action.

Hawthorn's charmed run in front of goal stuttered to a halt at the start of the second half, with three consecutive behinds, and Brisbane began to control the flow of footy through the middle of the ground, dominating the centre clearances.

The champions began to flex their muscles.

Harris Andrews patrolled the backline with authority. Charlie Cameron twisted and turned and won crucial contests. The much-maligned Eric Hipwood clunked everything that came his way. Josh Dunkley doesn't appear to bash and crash, but he certainly won more than his fair share of centre clearances.

And Lohmann – the Lions' own antagonist – found acres of space, time and time again, and kicked three goals in the third term as the Lions booted seven goals to one in the quarter.

Cobra Kai and the Wizard
If the first half was all about Nick Watson, then the second was the time for Brisbane's livewire forward to shine, the equally "love him if he was on your team" Kai Lohmann. He moved with authority through the forward line, commanding space, demanding the ball, and kicking truly to turn the game on its head in the third term with three of his own. Watson appeared to have won the game for the Hawks in the final quarter, but it was Lohmann who had the last laugh.

Neale's head knock and Newcombe's MRO watch
The opening seconds were as dramatic as you can get, with dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale cannoning straight into the shoulder of Jai Newcombe. Brisbane's choice to leave Neale on the ground despite the big knock appeared surprising, but coach Chris Fagan later said it was a hit to the chest that winded his midfield gun. The body bump will also alleviate any MRO concerns for Newcombe ahead of next season.

HAWTHORN    5.1   11.1   12.5   19.8 (122)
BRISBANE    5.2   8.5   15.7   20.11 (131)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Watson 6, Gunston 5, Lewis 4, Sicily, Weddle, Moore, Chol
Brisbane: Lohmann 5, Cameron 3, Hipwood 3, McCluggage 3, Morris 2, L.Ashcroft, W.Ashcroft, McKenna, Berry

BEST
Hawthorn: Watson, Ward, D'Ambrosio, Gunston, Sicily, Barrass
Brisbane: W.Ashcroft, Lohmann, Neale, Dunkley, Andrews, McCluggage

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

Crowd: 97,835 at the MCG