Richards ready for Buddy test

Updated September 27, 2012 13:52:07

As a key defender there is no greater challenge than an on-song Hawthorn feeding the ball to superstar Lance Franklin in full flight.

It is an assignment Sydney's All-Australian backman Ted Richards, who will almost certainly be given the arduous task of stopping Franklin in Saturday's AFL grand final, is all too familiar with.

"It's not something that I haven't done before. I played on him a fair bit this year and last year," Richards said on Thursday.

"But in saying that, I'm fully aware of what he's capable of. He's a gun player."

The last time the two giants came together was round 22 at the SCG, when Franklin returned from injury and the Hawks kicked six goals in the space of 10 minutes to turn the game on its head in the second term.

Franklin was quiet early but came to life, as he so often does, booting three of those six majors.

"He kicked quite a few goals on me and I was really able to see that he doesn't need much room to be able to expose you," Richards said.

"In a couple of minutes he can have a couple of shots on goal ... I'm trying to limit those opportunities."

Richards and his fellow defenders were able to steady on that occasion.

Franklin kicked only one more for the game, but the damage was done and his side claimed an epic seven-point, come-from-behind win.

The 29-year-old knows all too well that another Franklin-inspired burst is on the cards this weekend.

"Early on in my career, I could get a bit flustered when the opposition had momentum," Richards said.

"But I think the strength of us this year is when the opposition's got a couple of quick goals, we've been able to hold the fort.

"It's not easy to do, and it's something I know will happen on the weekend. They're going to get some momentum at different stages of the game and we've just got to hold as a back six.

"I'll be needing as much help as I can get ... we all need to support each other, we're not going out there as a defensive group thinking we've got six one-on-ones - it's six on six."

The Swans held a closed training session at the SCG on Thursday, but Richards said he was a certain starter despite rolling his ankle in last Friday's preliminary final.

"It was a little sore after the game, but a couple of days later it was fine."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000, hawthorn-3122

First posted September 27, 2012 13:27:02

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Buddy says Hawks must improve

Updated September 23, 2012 14:57:59

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin says the AFL premiership favourite will have to improve greatly from its preliminary final performance to win Saturday's grand final against Sydney.

The Hawks expect to regain captain Luke Hodge for the decider after he missed Saturday night's desperately tight 13.19 (97) to 14.8 (92) win over Adelaide through illness.

But Hodge was not at the club for Sunday's recovery session and team-mates said he had been kept away from them since training on Friday.

"He's got the bug. He's not in this morning, but he'll be fine," Franklin said on Sunday.

"I don't think anyone would want to miss a grand final so Hodgey will get himself right and get himself up for this weekend.

"It's lucky we were able to get over the line for him because I think he would have been a little bit disappointed to miss out."

Franklin said the Hawks badly needed to improve their shooting for goal and admitted he was a major culprit with some poor misses.

"This week we need to take our opportunities when we can, otherwise it could cost us," he said.

"I think I had (former Hawks president) Jeff Kennett's boots on the way I was kicking.

"I obviously just didn't kick as straight as I would have liked to.

"We just need to take those opportunities.

"I was disappointed in myself but we were able to win so that was good."

Franklin said the Hawks were happy to reach a grand final not playing their best but could not afford to hope to beat the Swans playing the same way.

"Definitely we've got to play a lot better than we did on the night," he said.

"Sydney are a great side too and play four quarters of football every week, so it's going to be a tough game."

Defender Brent Guerra is pushing to return from a hamstring injury and Franklin said it would pose a tough decision for coach Alastair Clarkson.

"I hope (he returns). He'll train this week and he's been really training hard the last couple of weeks to get himself up for this game, so it's a hard decision for Clarko so we'll just leave that to the coaching staff," Franklin said.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122

First posted September 23, 2012 13:38:10

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Buddy Franklin involved in car crash

Updated August 07, 2012 07:08:32

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin has been involved in a car accident which left another man with an injured arm.

The Hawks confirmed the accident, which comes just two-and-a-half weeks after Franklin was booked for doing 90 kilometres per hour in a 50kph zone.

"Lance is shaken but has not sustained injury in the accident, while the driver of the other vehicle involved has been treated for an arm injury," the club said in a statement.

The 25-year-old Franklin still holds his licence, but is due to lose it for six months.

He was booked for speeding on July 19 but the cancellation period does not start until 28 days after the infringement.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122, vic, australia

First posted August 06, 2012 22:35:30

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Hawks still unsure on 'groggy' Buddy

Updated August 20, 2012 20:06:30

Hawthorn remains unsure whether Lance Franklin will play in Saturday's massive match against Sydney, with captain Luke Hodge saying the star forward is still groggy.

Franklin was a late withdrawal from Sunday's regulation win over Gold Coast after he fell ill the night before.

He has now been out of action for six weeks, initially because of a hamstring injury.

Coach Alastair Clarkson admitted after the Suns game that Franklin's continued absence was not ideal with the finals looming.

The Hawks, who are second, have big tests against top side Sydney and West Coast (fifth) ahead of the finals.

"(To) speak to him today, he can't wait to train tomorrow and get ready to go to Sydney," Hodge said.

"I've seen him look better, he still looks a little bit groggy, but he just can't wait for training.

"Five or six weeks for anyone is a pain - he's been 'best on track' the last three weeks."

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said they are confident Franklin will have no trouble returning immediately to the AFL.

Evans added Franklin had a light training session on Monday.

"If Lance is ready to come back, he'll play, don't worry about that," Evans said.

"We won't be fearful about that.

"Ideally, we would have got a game into him (on Sunday) ahead of these two important games in the run-up to the finals.

"I'm sure he'll be right once he gets out there, any time he's had a layoff in the past, he's usually come back and played pretty well."

Franklin's surprise withdrawal from the Gold Coast game sparked predictable rumours, which Evans called "absolute rubbish".

"He was ill and we're hopeful he'll play this week," he said.

The Hawks should also regain midfielder Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson from injury after they missed the Gold Coast match.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, hawthorn-3122, vic, australia

First posted August 20, 2012 17:35:25

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Buddy cleared of sling tackle charge

Updated June 12, 2012 14:22:26

Hawthorn can breathe a sigh of relief after star forward Lance Franklin was cleared by the AFL's match review panel of a sling tackle.

Franklin, who leads the Coleman Medal goalkicking list from Richmond's Jack Riewoldt, was put on report for his tackle on Port Adelaide's Paul Stewart in the final quarter of the Hawks' win on Sunday.

The Hawthorn spearhead threw Stewart to the ground after the Port player lost possession of the ball in a similar incident to that involving Adelaide's Taylor Walker three weeks ago which cost the Crow a two-match ban.

The panel found that Franklin did not have both of Stewart's arms pinned in his tackle and took his opponent to the ground in one continuous motion.

It also found the tackle was not unreasonable and Franklin did not use excessive force.

He will now be eligible to play in the Hawks' next match against Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday.

Essendon's Aaron Davey has been given a three-match ban by the panel for his bump on Sydney's Daniel Hannebery in the third quarter of the Bomber's loss to the Swans.

Davey can accept a two-match ban with an early plea.

The Fremantle Docker's Hayden Ballantyne has been rubbed out for the second time this season, receiving a one-match ban for striking Richmond's Chris Newman.

His Dockers' team-mate Ryan Crowley, who last week was reprimanded for staging, can accept a $900 fine with an early plea for making an obscene gesture during Fremantle's win over Richmond.

Geelong's Josh Hunt can accept a $1350 fine for standing on Carlton's Eddie Betts in the Cats' Friday night win over the Blues at Docklands.

Hawthorn's Liam Shiels and Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce have been charged with wrestling in Sunday's match at Football Park. Both players can accept a $900 fine with an early plea.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted June 11, 2012 15:00:15

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Buddy good to go: Clarkson

Updated July 8, 2011 12:08:00

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says he expects Lance Franklin to play against the Brisbane Lions in Launceston on Saturday, despite a minor ankle strain.

Clarkson says his star forward has trained well this week ahead of the round 16 clash.

Hawthorn will train at Launceston on Friday afternoon as Franklin has a final hit-out to prove his fitness.

"He got through training OK yesterday so we expect him to play," Clarkson said at Melbourne Airport.

"It's not really a case of running a risk.

"He's got a very, very slight ankle strain which he's been able to recover really well from.

"We expect that he's going to be able to play tomorrow and play quite well."

The injury-hit Hawks are set to hand Josh Gibson the tough assignment of playing on Johnathan Brown, Clarkson says.

The fourth-placed Hawks will start favourite against the 15th placed Lions, although Clarkson says he has been impressed by Brisbane's recent form.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, tas, launceston-7250, vic, hawthorn-3122

First posted July 8, 2011 11:49:00

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Buddy facing one-match ban

Posted June 20, 2011 18:09:00

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin has been offered a one-match ban among 12 charges laid by the match review panel.

Franklin can accept the suspension for his elbow to the head of Gold Coast midfielder Maverick Weller, which occurred during the Hawks' 71-point thrashing of the Suns at York Park.

His previous poor record means he cannot have the penalty reduced with an early guilty plea.

St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke faces a two-match suspension for his sling tackle on Geelong's Mitch Duncan and Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has also fallen foul of the panel for a similar tackle.

Mumford can accept two weeks for rough conduct against Carlton's David Ellard in the Blues' 34-point triumph at Docklands.

Cats duo Mathew Stokes and Josh Hunt have also been hit with one-match bans for striking.

Stokes has been charged over an incident involving Koschitzke and defender Hunt for striking the Saints' Adam Schneider.

Others to be offered one-match suspensions were Essendon's Kyle Hardingham (rough conduct) and Richmond's Jake King (striking).

Cats midfielder Joel Corey can escape with a reprimand for a sling tackle, as can Sydney forward Ryan O'Keefe for front-on contact if they make early guilty pleas.

The Bombers' Brent Stanton can accept a reprimand for tripping North Melbourne's Nathan Grima because of his previous good record.

Melbourne's Tom Scully and the Swans' Nick Malceski have been given $900 fines for umpire contact.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122

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Buddy booked in Hawks stroll

Updated June 18, 2011 18:55:00

Hawthorn has made it six wins in its last seven matches with a predictable 71-point belting of lowly Gold Coast at York Park in Launceston.

The Hawks consolidated their spot in the AFL's top four with the 19.15 (129) to 8.1 (58) cakewalk, but will be sweating on the booking of spearhead Lance Franklin for elbowing Maverick Weller in the face.

For once the bulk of the goalkicking was not left to Franklin (three), with Shane Savage kicking four goals and amassing 33 disposals in a breakthrough performance.

Rookie Luke Breust also tallied four majors, while Sam Mitchell was best on ground with 38 touches.

Captain Gary Ablett had 33 disposals and Tom Lynch kicked three goals for the outclassed visitors.

Franklin had his usual eventful day, taking a superb mark and spraying his shots at goal for a return of 3.4.

But he could be in trouble after he was reported by field umpire Scott Jeffery in the third quarter for striking Weller.

The Hawks' star forward had just taken the mark of the game and then kicked out on the full from 50m.

Seconds later, Weller took possession in defence and Franklin met him high with either his upper arm or elbow, leaving the youngster dazed.

Losing Franklin would be a massive blow for the Hawks, particularly given they are already without number two key forward Jarryd Roughead for the rest of the season.

Roughead needed surgery during the week for an Achilles tendon injury.

Immediately after the final siren, Franklin was asked on Network Ten if he was confident of being available for Friday night's game against Essendon.

"Yeah definitely, I think there was nothing in it really, so we'll see what happens," he said.

It is now up to Monday's match review panel to rule on the incident.

"I can't say anything, he's been reported, we'll just have to wait and see," coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"He's a pretty important player for us, the big 'Bud', but these things happen in footy and we'll see what the outcome of the tribunal is throughout the week."

If the panel upholds the charge, Franklin will probably miss more than one game because he has a poor record, which would mean a loading on his penalty.

He missed three separate games last year through suspension.

The Hawks tore the game open in the third term, kicking 6.2 to only five behinds for a 50-point lead at the final change.

Hawks' small forward Cyril Rioli lit up the game after half-time, capitalising on a Suns' turnover to goal in the first minute of the third term.

He kicked two for the third quarter and also set up Savage for a goal on the three-quarter time siren with a bullet-like pass.

Gold Coast did not kick a goal from 14 minutes into the second term until four minutes into the final quarter.

The Suns were spirited early, kicking the first goal of the game and matching Hawthorn throughout the first quarter.

Ablett made a blistering start with 11 disposals for the quarter, the most on the ground.

The Suns trailed by seven points at the first change and managed to stay in the game, despite the Hawks dominating the start of the second term.

The Suns kicked a goal against the run of play midway through the quarter to reduce the margin to three points.

But Savage's second goal and a booming shot from Franklin a couple of minutes later meant the Hawks had a 17-point break at half-time.

Suns coach Guy McKenna was pleased with his team's start, but again the AFL newcomers eventually ran out of steam against bigger and better opposition.

"I probably see it with one red eye and one yellow eye, but that's probably as good as we can play for that amount of (time) and stand up against these bigger sides and older sides," he said.

Ryan Schoenmakers was a late withdrawal after he suffered a foot injury at Thursday training, meaning the Hawks made five forced changes for the match.

Jordan Lisle took his place in the team.

Hawks: 19.15 (129) - L Breust 4, S Savage 4, L Franklin 3, C Rioli 2, I Smith 2, D Hale, L Hodge, M Osborne, M Suckling

Suns: 8.10 (58) - T Lynch 3, J Brennan 2, D Gorringe, M Weller, S Day

-ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, qld, carrara-4211, tas, launceston-7250, vic, hawthorn-3122

First posted June 18, 2011 16:55:00

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Buddy helps boot the Hawks past Saints

Source:Robert Cianflone, Getty ImagesPublished:Sunday, May 15, 2011 5:04 AEST

Lance Franklin of the Hawks celebrates his goal during the round eight AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 15, 2011.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, hawthorn-3122, st-kilda-3182

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