An umpiring decision could have cost Hawthorn a top-four spot with the Hawks going down narrowly to Brisbane by 11 points on Sunday night.

With the Hawks trailing by two points with six minutes remaining, Karl Amon's handball in the defensive 50m arc went straight out-of-bounds with the umpire pinging the Hawk for insufficient intent.

However the decision has been questioned as it appeared like the slippery ball saw Amon make a skill error, with team-mate Jack Ginnivan in the vicinity and the Hawks clearly needing to score to win the game.

From the resulting free kick, Brisbane's Bruce Reville snapped a goal to put the Lions eight points up and the game was effectively over shortly after when Cam Rayner goaled.

MORE: Kane Cornes slams Western Bulldogs and coach for missing finals

A defeat meant the Hawks missed out on a top-four position, with Sam Mitchell's side now having to travel to either GWS or Fremantle for an elimination final.

Former North Melbourne champion David King believed the decision had 'huge implications' on the match, insisting that it was the wrong call.

"I don't want one person to say 'they (umpiring decisions) even themselves out'. They don't even themselves out, they cost you a game of footy when you're trying to finish in the top four," King told Fox Footy.

"It has huge implications on games like this. It was three points the difference at this stage. He is not trying to waste time. He is not trying to set up behind the ball. They are trying to score.

"The umpires should know that and umpire accordingly. Is he really trying to take it out of bounds? Why would he be trying to take that out of bounds? Why would he be trying to give the Lions a forward-50 stoppage there?

"I don't understand that, and I don't want to be too critical with umpiring ... but to say they don't affect and impact games is a nonsense."