Hawthorn vice-captain Jordan Lewis says he’s confident star forward Lance Franklin will return from a minor hamstring injury for Friday’s AFL blockbuster clash with Collingwood.
However the table-topping Hawks are less certain about skipper Luke Hodge, who has missed one match following thumb surgery.
“Buddy (Franklin), we expect him to play. It was just a little niggling injury that kept him out on the weekend,” Lewis told reporters on Monday.
“Hodgey will be a test this week so we’ll see how he trains.
“He’s a key player to us and he’ll be trying everything to play.”
Defender Grant Birchall, who has missed seven matches with a knee injury, is also expected to push his case for selection on the training track this week.
The Hawks are one game clear on top of the ladder with a 16-3 win-loss record following their 46-point victory over St Kilda last Friday, but their slow start in that match is an area of concern according to Lewis.
Hawthorn led by only four points at the first change before charging away with 11 goals to St Kilda’s five in the last three quarters.
“We addressed a few things at quarter-time … the contested-football and that sort of stuff,” Lewis said.
Lewis said the Etihad Stadium clash was played in front of a very quiet crowd but taking on the fifth-placed Magpies at the MCG would provide a totally different atmosphere.
“We sort of had to generate our own excitement when we kicked goals or whatever,” he said.
“It probably wasn’t the most vocal crowd we’ve played in front of.
“The top sides are playing each other. It’s finals-like football and we’ll get a taste of that on Friday night.
“If you start this weekend’s game a big sluggish, you might as well not be playing AFL football.
“Hopefully there’s 80,000 people there.
“Any player who can’t get up for this game has got worries.”
Lewis said Collingwood’s midfield held the key for their team.
“You’ve got to identify their midfield as being one of the premium midfields in the competition,” he said.
“If we can win that battle, that goes a long way towards winning the game.”