Henderson booted five goals and created headaches for the reigning premier’s defence all day, while Hawksley was a shining light in the midfield in the 11.10 (76)-10.4 (64) success.
The white-hot Albert Proud was explosive in the first half and laid the platform for the Lions’ 7.6 (48)-3.0 (18) halftime lead. The 13 scoring shots to three were a true reflection of the Lions’ dominance.
With the match transferred from the Gabba to the tight confines of Coorparoo due to anticipated bad weather, the Vultures took the game right up to the Lions physically in the third term.
In-form Mt Gravatt centre-half-back Tom Tarrant, the best player in the competition over the last month, was reported for striking Scott Clouston as the game got really willing.
The Vultures powered back to draw level with Suncoast late in the term, before the Lions kicked a steadier near three-quarter-time.
They showed great composure to run the game out strongly, with Chris Schmidt getting plenty of ball and Cheynee Stiller prominent.
Matthew Leuenberger engaged in a strong battle with Vulture Nick Ven Bekkum in an entertaining ruck duel in which both coaches were happy with their respective charges.
Robert Copeland reveled in the tough going and helped his side maintain their advantage when the game was up for grabs.
Suncoast have now beaten premiership contenders Mt Gravatt and Morningside back-to-back, and drawn with perennial heavyweights Southport, seeing them rise to fourth place on the premiership table, just half a game off top spot.
They will take top place for at least six days if they can beat Redland at the Gabba on Sunday, with the remainder of the competition to have a bye in lieu of the Queensland team playing WA in Townsville.
Clouston is likely to miss the game and represent Queensland instead, the only Lions rookie selected in the State squad.
Scoreboard:
Suncoast Lions 5.2 7.6 8.8 11.10 (76)
Mt Gravatt 2.0 3.0 8.2 10.4 (64)
Goals, Suncoast Lions: L Henderson 5, M Tyler 2, D Dzufer 2, R Copeland 2. Mt Gravatt: N Gilliland 2, J Harding, S Morrison, M Hamill, N Van Bekkum A Evans, A Van Rooyen, B Cleary, W Hamill 1.
Best, Suncoast Lions: J Hawksley, L Henderson, M Leuenberger, R Copeland, C Stiller, A Proud. Mt Gravatt: D White, T Tarrant, A Scott, W Hamill, M Hamill, B Morris.
