Brisbane enter their mid-season break with a growing belief there is no opposition or situation they can not handle after what coach Michael Voss rates as their best win in his short reign.

The Lions defied injuries, a 14-point halftime deficit and cold, blustery conditions to down reigning AFL premiers Hawthorn 13.15 (93) to 7.9 (51) at Launceston's Aurora Stadium on Sunday.

Inspired by a brilliant four-goal second half from captain Jonathan Brown and a remarkable rucking effort from athletic utility Jared Brennan - after big man Mitch Clark went off hurt - Brisbane piled on the game's last nine goals.

It took them to a 7-5 record; firmly ensconced in the top eight and with a chance to end the split round in the top four.

Just as significantly, Voss said it strengthened the genuine team spirit needed to convince them they are never out of a game, no matter who or where they are playing.

"We know that these guys are going to fight it out to the end," he said.

"They've got that genuine want to work hard right through the course of a whole game so they give themselves a chance.

"As they get more confidence and more belief that they belong there you'll start to see even more strength in that regard."

Voss said that tenacity made it absolutely their best win of the season, particularly after Troy Selwood was lost with a dislocated shoulder in the first term and Clark went off with a quad injury in the third.

Clark's loss loomed as a potential disaster, given the Lions were already without ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Jamie Charman with long-term injuries.

But Brennan's ability to leap over taller opponents in the ruck, then hit the ground running, proved a telling factor as the Lions dominated the midfield in the second half.

Up forward, Brown shrugged off the attention of two opponents to snare two brilliant goals in the third term to put his side ahead, then two more early in the last as the Lions bolted home.

Voss said Brennan's extraordinary versatility was a huge asset.

"Jared goes up for the ruck and roves his own ball at the moment, so he's obviously cat-like on the field," he said.

"It seems like he's really enjoyed the freedom."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said Brennan's form would create a dilemma for the Lions when their more recognised ruckmen eventually return.

"Brennan and Clark have been first rate for the last six weeks in those roles ... Brennan in particular he is not just a ruckman, he becomes a ground level midfielder for them as soon as the ball is contested," Clarkson said.

"He had five or six clearances himself today in the second half in particular. His influence on the game was significant."

Another potential Brisbane problem - the absence of injured tall defenders Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull to combat Hawks star forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead - also proved a non-issue.

Fill-in defenders Jason Roe, on Franklin, and Lachie Henderson, on Roughead, kept them to a goal apiece, prompting Voss to say they would be difficult to dislodge from the team.

Both Merrett and Patfull are due back for the Lions' next match, against Melbourne, along with play-making backman Josh Drummond.

Brisbane are confident Clark will also play, saying he only had quad tightness, but was kept from the ground as a precaution in the last quarter because they were in control.

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