Hawthorn will rest Lance Franklin for a fourth successive week with a hamstring injury, ruling the star forward out of Friday night’s AFL round-19 clash with arch-rivals Geelong at the MCG.

The Hawks are second on the ladder and carry the tag of premiership favourites with the bookies.

But the continued absence of the Coleman Medal leader is a blow for coach Alastair Clarkson as he tries to end an eight-game losing streak against the Cats.

“He won’t play this week. He’s nearly there but we just want to make sure that he’s completely over this little niggle,” Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.

“He did some running this morning. It just wasn’t as comfortable as perhaps what we would have liked him to be to get himself up for this week, but we’re really hopeful he’ll be right next week.”

Hawthorn haven’t beaten Geelong since the 2008 grand final, although the Hawks are in excellent form with eight successive wins including the past three without Franklin.