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Brisbane coach Chris Fagan admits their AFL match against Hawthorn is a big game in both club's respective seasons.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan knows Saturday's AFL clash with Hawthorn at the Gabba looms as a crucial match for both clubs.

The Lions are sixth on the ladder with a 6-4 record after their agonising one-point loss to Fremantle last weekend.

Hawthorn are just outside the eight in ninth with a 5-5 record and will be eager to jump above the Lions with victory.

The Hawks head to Queensland on the back of an impressive 31-point win over Port Adelaide and Fagan knows holding on to their top eight spot is a big motivator.

"We've all got to start again tomorrow," he said.

"It will be a red-hot game because there's a fair bit at stake for both of us."

Fagan has made four changes for the match - some forced, some not.

Oscar McInerney has been rested and Ryan Lester is injured while Josh Walker and Mitch Hinge have both been dropped.

In their place come ruckman Archie Smith, Rhys Mathieson, Nick Robertson and Ben Keays.

"We just thought some of the guys were a little bit out of form last week and some other lads were going well, so let's give them an opportunity," Fagan said.

For the Hawks, Jack Scrimshaw is injured while Harry Morrison has been axed with Mitchell Lewis and Isaac Smith the players coming in.

After back-to-back one-point matches - a win over Adelaide followed by the Dockers' defeat - Fagan believes both matches will be important ones for his growing team.

"That's all part of learning," he said.

"We haven't been in front in those games for a long, long time so you've got to learn how to play them.

"Those opportunities we've had the last two weeks have been tremendous learning opportunities for us."