The Bad News Bears finally came good at the Gabba.

Wearing the old 1980s Bears playing strip as part of Heritage Round, Brisbane initially resembled the former laughing stock of the AFL before ending a traumatic week overshadowed by Jason Akermanis' shock sacking with a gutsy 11.18 (84) to 11.8 (74) win over Hawthorn.

The game had become a mere afterthought when triple premiership player Akermanis was indefinitely banned for comments made in a News Limited newspaper, all but signalling the end of the 2001 Brownlow Medalist's days at Brisbane.

Six pages of Brisbane's News Limited newspaper were committed to the saga in an indication of the shockwaves sent through the local football community.

Akermanis' presence was still felt at the ground with some fans wearing "Akka Backa" t-shirts handed around outside the Gabba by supporters, including the midfielder's brother Rory.

Signs appeared throughout the stands such as "Don't Go Akka".

Brisbane appeared distracted early by the latest bout of Akermania, at one stage trailing by 29 points in the first quarter.

But the Lions reeled in the deficit to just 12 by halftime before detonating in the third term.

Brisbane booted five straight goals including doubles to Daniel Bradshaw and Jamie Charman to steal a 11.12 (78) to 10.6 (66) lead at three-quarter-time in a remarkable fightback.

Comeback king Clark Keating dominated the ruck in his first AFL game of the 2006 season, exciting youngster Rhan Hooper showed blinding pace and the Lions found willing forward targets in Charman and Bradshaw to turn it around in the third term.

The fourth quarter became a dour affair with just one goal kicked - by Hawthorn giant Lance Franklin - but Brisbane (7-9 record) held on to claim its third win in four games.

Coincidentally the last time the teams faced off, in round seven, Akermanis had also been dropped and Brisbane went on to win by 40 points to spark a run of three straight wins.

It marked the 10th loss in 11 games for Hawthorn (5-11).

And it looks like there will be a few more chapters added to Akermanis' autobiography "Aka - The Battle Within".

Akermanis has reportedly refused to play reserves football, opting instead to take stress leave.

His manager Ricky Olarenshaw said he would sit down with his client and the club on Monday to decide his future.

The Lions fought back to trail Hawthorn 8.3 (51) to 5.9 (39) at halftime.

The Hawks had swooped on an unsuspecting Brisbane in the first quarter to jump out to a 5.3 (33) to 1.4 (10) lead at the opening break.

Hawthorn kicked the first five goals before Bradshaw finally kicked Brisbane's first major almost 20 minutes into the first quarter.

Rumours abounded that Brisbane was set to make a "major announcement" after the game but Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews played a straight bat at the post-game press conference.

But Matthews added more fuel to the fire when he told Fox Footy TV that Akermanis "doesn't want to play for us".

"We made a decision that we had to make. I think we would have been better off if we had Aker's talents out there tonight," Matthews said.

"But unfortunately he doesn't want to play for us and we can't do much about that, we've just got to go on."

Matthews did not want to speculate further on Akermanis at the post-game press conference, telling reporters: "I've been coaching the team so in other words I don't know (about a major announcement).

"The week's been turbulent for some of us but not the players so much. But I guess they read the papers so on that basis if there's turbulence for one there's turbulence for all isn't there?"

Meanwhile, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said the loss "was a hard pill to swallow" but dipped his hat to Charman and Keating who had played his first game of 2006 after overcoming foot and back injuries.

"Their Rolls Royce brigade Charman and Keating in my view still remain one of the best ruck duos in AFL football," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP