Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says his team doesn’t need Lance Franklin to play a starring role to beat Fremantle in Saturday’s AFL grand final.
Franklin managed just one soccered goal in last Friday night’s five-point preliminary final win over Geelong, while fellow star forwards Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli went goal-less.
But Clarkson denied the trio would have to lift on Saturday if the Hawks were to overcome a Fremantle side that has boasted the competition’s best defensive record this season.
“No. As long as they perform their role,” Clarkson told reporters.
“People look at Franklin’s game last week and they love the excitement and electricity that he can bring to a game of footy.
“But he played a really important role for us last week.”
Clarkson said Cats defenders Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor, opposed to Franklin and Roughead respectively, didn’t have the influence they have had against the Hawks in the past as Geelong built an 11-game winning streak.
“We used Bud in a different way in that game and ironically we get the result,” he said.
“We don’t measure the game and just look at it and say ‘I hope Franklin has a big game because that will help us win the game of footy’.
“If he plays to the role that we set him, that’s all we ask him for.
“That might not excite the general public who want the electricity, but it excites us.”
But Fremantle coach Ross Lyon acknowledged Hawthorn’s height and talent in attack, with Franklin and Roughead backed by David Hale and Jack Gunston, posed a huge threat to the Dockers.
“That’s clearly why they’re a threat. They’re a powerful team, we get that,” Lyon said.
“Even last week, with their entries (into attack) if they kick straight they win by eight (goals) so let’s not get lost in that.”
Lyon said with Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin, Zac Dawson and Paul Duffield acting as a tall defender at times, they could do the job, although defensive pressure further upfield would be crucial.
“It doesn’t matter what back six you have, if you don’t pressure the ball carrier, with their elite skills they’ll just slice and dice you,” Lyon said.
“It’s about team defence and team pressure.”
The coaches were speaking at a press conference after Friday’s grand final parade through Melbourne’s CBD.