GAME-CHANGING Lions forward Eric Hipwood says Brisbane identified a smaller Hawthorn backline as an area to exploit ahead of Sunday's drought-breaking win.

And the home team did just that, targeting the tall trio of Hipwood (203cm), Dan McStay (195cm) and Oscar McInerney (204cm) in the 56-point victory.

Against a Hawks team minus the injured James Frawley, Hipwood rebounded superbly from his off-kicking night against the Bulldogs last week, booting 4.3 to spearhead the home team.

McInerney kicked one goal and McStay was goalless, but they kept the Hawthorn defenders occupied and continually brought the ball to ground for Charlie Cameron and Dayne Zorko.

Hipwood told AFL.com.au he did extra work on his marking during the week, knowing the Hawks might be a bit shorter in the defensive 50.

"We knew their defence wasn't as tall as our forwards, so if we could get the ball in long and make them nervous they might hold," Hipwood said.

"I ended up getting four free kicks, which was handy. It (marking) was certainly something I've been working on the last few weeks."

Something else the rangy 20-year-old has worked on is his goalkicking and looking at other options.

Against the Dogs he kicked just one goal from seven shots – including four out on the full – and said he could have looked to give off the ball more.

But Hipwood said he never lost confidence in his goalkicking, and it showed.

He kicked his first from 35m out directly in front and two minutes later flushed another set shot from close to the right boundary line.

"My mindset was very clear," Hipwood said.

"Against the Western Bulldogs I went for a few shots where I could have passed it and centred it.

"It was good to be able to respond the way I did.

"I know I have a good routine that works nine times out of 10. I think it was just a bit unlucky last week."

Lions coach Chris Fagan said he would continue using the three-tall forward line and felt it helped ease the pressure on Hipwood.

"There's a bit more for opposition teams to deal with," he said.

"The view might be if you play all those big guys in the forward line you might not be able to put pressure on … but it straightens you up a bit and everyone know where the ball's going.

"The good part about it is they're a group of guys that want to learn to play together well and sacrifice for each other.

"Will it stay that way? The game keeps changing. There's nothing wrong with challenging convention and playing a couple of 200cm blokes in your forward line is there."