Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson plays down Jeff Kennett’s Lance Franklin comments

THE Hawks like to stay as low key as possible. So how did master coach Alastair Clarkson react when he found out about Jeff Kennett’s Lance Franklin comments this week?

HAWTHORN expects they will need to overcome fit and fired-up Sydney superstar Lance Franklin if they are to claim a coveted top-four spot on the AFL ladder.

The stakes are high for Saturday night’s clash at the SCG, with the winner claiming a double chance in the finals, but Franklin has been under an injury cloud after straining a groin late in last week’s win over GWS. Alastair Clarkson confirmed his planning for the Swans included Buddy inside attacking 50, but added there will be many factors in play aside from stopping Franklin.

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Hawks president Jeff Kennett added fuel to the fire of the fierce rivalry earlier in the week when he suggested Franklin rarely played well against the team he left after the 2013 season.

Clarkson was all smiles when he addressed reporters at Melbourne airport on Friday, but it was clear the master coach would have preferred his president didn’t poke the bear.

“Jeff’s a bit like our footy jumper, isn’t he? The gold is pretty good and the brown is a little bit dark sometimes. It’s all just part of the intrigue of the game,” Clarkson said.

“I don’t think (Franklin) needs any motivation to play against the Hawks. He’s a very proud man and we’re going to need to do our very best to stop the supply to him because once it gets to him he’s going to kick goals.

Jeff Kennett and Lance Franklin shake hands when Buddy played with the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s nice theatre to think that it’s all about one player - Jeff got caught up in that a bit himself - but to be fair it’s about 22 players.” Hawthorn won’t have key defender James Frawley to help combat Franklin, but Clarkson said the premiership star’s back complaint won’t keep him from the club’s first final.

The Hawks regained skipper Jarryd Roughead, along with David Mirra, and Ricky Henderson, for the pivotal clash.

Originally published as Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson plays down Jeff Kennett’s Lance Franklin comments

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