Buddy Franklin must step up for the Hawks

To his defenders, he is nothing more than a genius. A man who casually obliterated Essendon a season a go. One of the AFL’s most iconic big men. A real life mannequin for tattoo enthusiasts. To his critics, he is a thug.

An overrated forward. Someone who is undoubtedly skillful, yet throws his talent away with silly jumper punches and high shoulder charges.

Whatever your take is on Buddy Franklin, forget it. It’s time to address an issue.

Hawthorn were dismal in the second half against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night. Alastair Clarkson’s boys lost by 20 points at Aami Stadium. The breeze caused blunders, the crowd was it’s usual bubbly self, and the Hawks went flat.

Fast.

Shaun Burgoyne was a symbol of things to come for the Hawks. Although the absence of Luke Hodge was a minor setback, already Clarkson has a full plate just a week into the season.

For the people who have excused Hawthorn loss, you’re right, it was only Round 1. A trip to Aami Stadium is never easy. And without Hodge, a key half-back, it’s no wonder punters flip-flopped all week long.

But something seemed off about the Hawks in the later stages of Saturday’s game. Perhaps “flat” is an understatement. Maybe a word like “drowsy” or “unaware” is much more suiting.

Either way, the problem has been right under our noses: Lance Franklin.

Don’t act like you aren’t surprised.

Stiff. Boring. Uncharacteristic. Those were the three terms pinned to Franklin’s cork-board following Saturday night. The former Coleman Medalist booted two goals that were crucial during the Hawks promising period, he then fell quiet like the rest of the team. In the end left playing his own version of silent ball for the remainder.

Without Hodge, Franklin suffered – so did Jarryd Roughead for that matter. Accuracy went down the tubes with team confidence. Kicks into the forward 50 also plummeted. While Franklin found himself contesting for possession, rather than bulldozing his way toward a typically stellar performance.

Now, there’s a rare occasion if I’ve ever seen one.

I was surprised as you were, really. Normally when the cards are down, Franklin comes out firing. Bends a few of his banana bombs, and scrapes the Hawks over the line.

This time, though, Franklin was the forgotten friend. He was well marked. Out contested. And at the most, beaten to the ball.

Take note of Phil Davis bowing in the corner.

Franklin wasn’t altogether deplorable, however. He did kick those two goals. His physical presence was still in tact, and he still seems to be on the right path to another great year.

That’s where I draw the line, though.

I hate to be the party-pooper again, but this is where we can’t get ahead of ourselves. Franklin does stupid things to hurt himself throughout the year. It wasn’t a shock to see that disregard erupt early in Adelaide.

Some call it physical and intimidating, others call it foolish. This is the time to choose sides on the Franklin debate.

Defenders will say that Franklin was hard done by against the Crows. He gave away five free kicks. Some were as shady as a cold winters day – others were unjustified. But a big man always comes off second best against the umpires.

Criticizers will say Franklin missed goals, some soda’s too. He hit the post on separate occasions (there’s that breeze again) but Franklin didn’t lift off like he should have, and neither did the team.

It’s an area coach Clarkson recognizes.

“We had some terrible clangers. Some of our defensive efforts were quite poor. The ball went out the back far too easily and they got some easy goals. We had the same amount of scoring shots, but we couldn’t punish them and had to work too hard for our goals.”

Jeff Kennett on the other hand isn’t so rational.

Buddy is phenomenally talented – no doubt. He defies science at times. Leaves other tall forwards for dead. While no rebuttal has been made toward the Hawks Premiership fall since 2008.

Hawthorn play Melbourne at the MCG in the final game of Round 2. They are contenders right now. Another loss, though, and the Hawks may become a fragile Premiership pick.

Not that Collingwood care.

Buddy needs to step up, now. There’s a fine line between contenders and pretenders, one the Hawks flirted with in 2010.

Somehow, Franklin needs to lift the team. He’s done it before. It isn’t Hodges job to kick goals. Nor is it Cyril Rioli’s.

A year without tribunal trouble? We can only dream.

A consistent 22 games? Even better.

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