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VENUE & TIME: Aurora Stadium, Saturday 9 August, 2.10pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 36, Hawthorn 21, Brisbane Lions 15.
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 19.16 (130) def. Brisbane Lions 17.16 (118), Round 5, 2008 at the Gabba.

WALKING WOUNDED: Shane Crawford appears to have won his week-to-week battle with knee tendonitis. The Hawks would not have held a press conference celebrating his 300th game if the veteran was unlikely to play. That leaves Ben McGlynn (quadriceps) and Tim Boyle (groin) as the only players vying for a berth in the club's 22 unavailable. Michael Osborne (corked buttock) faces a test after missing last week's win over Collingwood. The Lions will again be without Nigel Lappin (Achilles) and Matthew Leuenberger (knee) but could be without Mitch Clark (quadriceps).

FORM: After an indifferent patch mid-season, the Hawks have turned it around in the past fortnight. It almost knocked off Geelong, then thrashed the hapless Collingwood last week. Irrespective of what happens in the ensuing four weeks, the Hawks cannot finish any lower than third. The Lions are at risk of missing the finals after losing their fifth match from the past seven weeks last round. They have won only twice on the road this season so the trip to Tasmania is not helpful.

WHO'S HOT: Sam Mitchell has been excellent the past fortnight. He dominated in the midfield last week and was one of the main reasons Lance Franklin had so many shots at goal. After starring on debut, Bradd Dalziel was again one of his club's best players last week against North with 34 disposals. It has been a rapid rise for the 21-year-old, who a year ago was playing in the East Fremantle reserves.

WE THINK: When these two teams last met, it became a shootout. Daniel Bradshaw booted seven goals at one end, while Franklin bagged eight at the other. While the Hawks can find other avenues to goal besides Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, the Lions struggle when Bradshaw and Jonathan Brown don't fire. The pair kicked all but one of Brisbane's 11 goals last week. However, Hawthorn's defence is considered the weak link in its side. Trent Croad is reliable under pressure, but Stephen Gilham is inexperienced and it is a big ask for the 177cm Campbell Brown, who has played at both ends recently, to consistently quell the opposition's key forwards. For the Lions to capitalise on this weakness they must control the midfield. But that is where the Hawks hold many aces. It can start with Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell then swing Chance Bateman, Jordan Lewis and in-form youngster Xavier Ellis through the middle. It could be another sorry flight home for the Lions. Hawthorn by 26 points. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:05:22 GMT