‘Clear what they do’: Lions coach on stopping Hawks

Steve Larkin | August 7, 2026

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan knows exactly what to expect from Hawthorn in Friday night’s finals-shaping blockbuster.

But Fagan says that won’t make things easier for his Lions in the Gabba fixture.

“It’s clear what they do. But not as easy to stop it, though,” Fagan said of the Hawks.

Brisbane, after copping a shock 76-point hammering from Carlton last weekend, hold fifth spot ahead of hosting the third-placed Hawthorn.

And the Lions boss was wary of Hawthorn on a number of fronts.

“They have got a lot of weapons,” he said.

“Their intercept marking game is really strong. Their stoppage-clearance game has become really good over the last two or three months.

“Their high half-forwards get up the ground and work back and they leave a lot of space in their forward line for Jack Gunston to get to work.”

Brisbane stalwart Ryan Lester will play his 250th AFL match, and teammate Jarrod Berry his 200th.

Lester’s milestone comes as a surprise to the man himself.

“I was sure 150 was going to be my last milestone,” Lester said.

“Then I was certain that 200 was going to be my last milestone.

“And I’m nearly putting my house on that 250 will be last milestone.”

Lester’s coach noted the 33-year-old had been playing year-to-year for a long time.

“He has got better with age,” Fagan said.

“When I first turned up, he was a player that was in and out of the team a fair bit.

“And I know it’s a running joke that he’s had eight or nine one-year contracts in a row, but that’s the truth – he has.”