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.