Alastair Clarkson was on home soil at Launceston but the Hawthorn coach couldn't help but feel he was in foreign territory after an injury-free win over Brisbane.

Hawthorn won Saturday's AFL round-16 clash at Aurora Stadium 16.9 (105) to 9.9 (63) with Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell again playing starring roles.

But apart from the 42-point victory, the big plus for Clarkson was having no one file into the medical rooms afterwards.

The Hawks improved their win-loss record to 11-4 to hold fourth spot ahead of West Coast.

Clarkson can ease his side into next week's bye round with the knowledge that several players are set to return from injury.

Clarkson said small forward Cyril Rioli, midfielder Brad Sewell and tall defender Ryan Schoenmakers would all be fit for Hawthorn's round-18 game against Melbourne on July 24.

Jordan Lewis will also return from a two-match suspension.

"It has been a little bit foreign to us," a beaming Clarkson said.

"We have come out of games over the last month a little bit sore and sorry.

"But we are really pleased to get a seven-goal victory.

"Our young blokes have done an outstanding job filling in some of the roles for the more seasoned players as they've got injured.

"We go into the break at 11 and four and recharge the batteries a little bit this week and get ready for a pretty big assault in the last part of the season."

Star forward Lance Franklin kicked three goals for the Hawks and received good support from Brendan Whitecross and big man David Hale with three goals each.

Franklin, who went into the game carrying a slight ankle injury, also had 26 touches.

In windy and dark conditions that made goalposts wobble and forced officials to put the lights on at halftime in front of 14,604 fans, the Hawks failed to break clear until the final term after leading by 15 points at the last change.

Jonathan Brown contributed three majors for the Lions, taking his career tally to 498, two ahead of former club record-holder Daniel Bradshaw.

Brown had 23 possessions and staged what Clarkson described as a great battle with Hawks defender Josh Gibson, who finished with 24 disposals including 16 in the first half.

Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff and veteran Simon Black were among Brisbane's better players while the Lions were hampered by defender Ash McGrath's injury in the final term.

McGrath was on crutches after the game with an ice-pack after a knock to the knee but coach Michael Voss said he hoped it was only very minor.

Voss rued Brisbane's poor goalkicking in the last term as the Lions scored 1.4 to Hawthorn's 6.1.

But he was thrilled with his side's appetite for the contest.

"It's nice when you come to the footy and you don't have to worry about whether your group really wants to have a go and that's what I feel like at the moment as their coach," Voss said.

"We're a smidgen away from having a really good breakthrough win."

Brisbane, who have a 3-12 record this season, host ladder leaders Geelong at the Gabba on Sunday July 17.

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