Dakota Davidson has "bounced back" from the kinds of comments which have been "eating away" at the All Australian through her career, Lions coach Craig Starcevich says ahead of the club's qualifying final task against Hawthorn at the weekend.

On Monday, AFL Media revealed integrity unit investigations had launched after Davidson was the target of sideline abuse during the Lions Indigenous Round match against Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at RSEA park at the weekend.

The comments, which were believed to be in relation to the forward's appearance, left Davidson in tears at the three quarter time break.

A patron was reportedly removed from the ground following after match officials were notified.

Speaking ahead of their final, Starcevich told reporters Davidson responded quickly, both in the final quarter of the 27-point win and during the week.

"She bounced back really quickly. In fact, she had a pretty good last quarter...she's been great. She's a stoic person, and gets on with stuff generally, but these are the sort of things that rock her a little bit, and probably her teammates and coaches as well, to be honest," he said on Thursday.

Starcevich welcomed the progression of footy in making "derogatory comments..over the fence" and similar incidents an irregular occurrence at games, but revealed it was not an isolated incident for the 2023 premiership hero.

Earlier this year, Davidson opened up on similar examples of online abuse in an emotional podcast appearance.

"The comment she received is not something she hasn't heard before, but it doesn't make it any less hurtful," Starcevich said.

"It's those sort of things are sort of eating away at her a little bit. But I think she knows where she stands in terms of the love of her teammates and the people around her and her family and friends.

"She's come in here with her usual smile and attitude on Tuesday, and I expect the same tonight."

Earlier in the week, teammate Lily Postlethwaite said the group will "fully wrap our arms around" Davidson.

After a career-best 2023, including late heroics to help lift her side over North Melbourne in the grand final after injury threatened to rule her out of the match, the Gunditjmara forward has missed some game time with illness and concussion protocols during the current season, but will be keen "to make an impact" in finals again, Starcevich said.

The Lions dropped just two games on premiership defence, finishing behind their undefeated (10 wins, one draw in 2024) grand final opponents in the Kangaroos and the red-hot Hawks (10 wins, one loss) in third spot on the ladder.

Brisbane and Hawthorn have not met so far this season.

"I expect it's going to be quick and open and fast, so they'll want to slow us down and we'll want to slow them down…I can't imagine it being bogged down and slow and not moving. It'll be an open game, I would have thought," the Lions coach said.

The Hawks host Brisbane for their qualifying final at Princes Park on Sunday afternoon.