HAWTHORN'S AFL premiership defence has begun with a hard-earned 48-point victory over a gallant Brisbane Lions side at Aurora Stadium.

The Hawks saw off a spirited third-quarter fightback without seven of their grand final players before running out winners 21.13 (139) to 13.13 (91).

Luke Breust and Jarryd Roughead kicked five each for the premiers, who extended a winning streak over the Lions that goes back to 2009.

For the Lions Jonathan Brown kicked four goals, while Trent West and Tom Rockliff scored three apiece.

Hawthorn led by 25 at the last change and booted eight goals to five in the final quarter to run away with the win.

But the Hawks didn't have it all their own way against the gutsy visitors and new Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch can take some comfort from his side's heart.

Five talking points: Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions

After they'd gone goalless in the second quarter to trail by 22, the Lions fought back to within two points in the third.

They kicked five of the period's first seven majors, with two each to Sam Mayes and West, to trail 60-58.

But bad misses stalled their momentum and the Hawks smelled blood, blasting home four straight goals to close the quarter, Breust kicking three for the term.

The Hawks had led by five at quarter-time after a seesawing first period.

Youngster Tim O'Brien made his mark in Lance Franklin's old No.23 jersey, booting his and Hawthorn's opener from 50 after a strong mark.

The premiers booted four unanswered majors in a scrappy second term, two to Liam Shiels, to extend their lead to 48-26.

Hawthorn unfurled the premiership flag before the opening ball-up, suspended backman Brian Lake accompanying it in front of 12,430 Tasmanian fans.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said both sides were rusty but he was happy to come away with the four points.

"Both sides made plenty of errors which are expected in round one of the season," he said after the loss.

"It was really just who was going to finish their work better and we managed to do that."

The Lions could only manage five goalkickers, as opposed to Hawthorn's 10, and Leppitsch acknowledged their lack of forward options was a source of some frustration.

"I guess the disappointing part when you're coming into three-quarter time, you look at the score and see you've matched them in scoring shots but you're 25 points behind the top team and you've actually been really competitive," he said. 

"That can be a little bit disheartening."


Tasmanian Hawk fans enjoy an Isaac Smith goal.   Picture: AFL Media


HAWTHORN               3.3     7.6    13.8    21.13   (139)
BRISBANE LIONS     2.1     3.8     8.13   13.13   (91)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 5, Roughead 5, Shiels 2, Gunston 2, Smith 2, McEvoy, O’Brien, Mitchell, Suckling, Lewis
Brisbane Lions: Brown 4, West 3, Rockliff 3, Mayes 2, Green

BEST
Hawthorn: Shiels, Birchall, Breust, Lewis, Roughead, McEvoy
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Zorko, Redden, Lester, Green, Brown

INJURIES
Hawthorn: TBC
Brisbane Lions: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Tim O’Brien replaced by Derick Wanganeen during the fourth quarter.
Brisbane Lions: Michael Close replaced by Lewis Taylor during the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Hay, McInerney

Official crowd: 12,430 at Aurora Stadium