Reigning premiers Brisbane have secured the double chance after overcoming a shocking night in front of goal to defeat Hawthorn, with the Hawks condemned to an elimination final.

The Lions were their own worst enemy and made themselves work for the 11.23 (89) to 11.13 (79) victory in the tense top-four playoff at the Gabba on Sunday night.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hawthorn’s top-four hopes dashed by controversial late free kick.

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Hawthorn’s cause was not helped by a controversial free kick in their defensive 50 with six minutes remaining.

Amon was back-pedalling towards the boundary line as he dished off a handball to the nearby Jack Ginnivan — but the ball slipped in his hands and it went out of bounds on the full.

The umpire paid an insufficient intent free kick against a stunned Amon and Brisbane’s Bruce Reville snapped truly in spite of his team’s poor form inside 50 on the night.

“I think (Amon) was definitely trying get it to his teammate, it just slipped out of his hands. It was a skill error more so than insufficient intent,” Kane Cornes said in commentary on Channel 7.

Luke Hodge later remained adamant it was “a bit harsh” and pointed to Lions captain Harris Andrews getting away with a grounded handball towards the boundary line minutes earlier.

The decision comes with a last-touch out-of-bounds rule being considered by the AFL for 2026.

“I was never a fan of it but at least it gives clarity,” Hodge said.

Cornes said: “I think that’s what frustrates footy fans, it’s inconsistency. You call it one way, you call it the same for the other team.”

The Lions hit the scoreboard again moments after the free kick through an emphatic Hugh McCluggage to Cam Rayner goal, and though Nick Watson cut the margin for Hawthorn it was not to be for the Victorian side.

The Hawks now face a cut-throat elimination final, likely against GWS in Sydney, with Gold Coast expected to defeat Essendon by a big margin on Wednesday night to secure a do-or-die date with Fremantle in Perth.

Brisbane move on to face Geelong in an MCG qualifying final — something unlikely to spook the Lions after winning the same match-up in last year’s preliminary final, taking out the grand final and beating Collingwood at the ‘G earlier this month.

“We enjoy going there, it’s a nice, open ground so you can move the ball,” McCluggage told Channel 7.

“It’s the home of footy, it’s where everyone wants to play so as many opportunities as we can get to play there it’s great.”

McCluggage was best on for Brisbane on Sunday night, kicking two goals from his 32 disposals, while Rayner (22 touches, two goals, two goal assists) and Darcy Wilmot (27 touches) were also important.

Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale’s continued absence was felt but the likes of Zac Bailey and Levi Ashcroft made key contributions alongside established heads Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley.

Ginnivan (23 disposals, two goals) was brilliant for the visitors, his nerveless set shot with seven minutes to play making it a two-point game.

- with AAP