THERE is "nothing special" about Lance Franklin compared to his Sydney Swans teammates, but Josh Gibson still wants the chance to line up on his good mate at ANZ Stadium this Friday night.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, Gibson hoped 'Buddy' would recover from knee tendinitis to face the Hawks for the first time since moving north for a $10 million, nine-year mega-deal.
"We always want to play the best opponents and as a defender you want to do that," Gibson said.
"We're not going to shy away from whether he's playing or not. We'll put work into him as we do the other 21 opponents.
"There's nothing special about 'Bud' compared to any of his other teammates."
Gibson might be toeing the club line, but there's no doubt there will be some added spice – and banter – between Franklin and his former teammates.
"I'm sure there will probably be a few (text messages) go between him and the boys before the game starts. No doubt," he said.
Last year's best-and-fairest is most likely to get first crack on Franklin – resuming hostilities from Gibson's playing days at North Melbourne.
By Gibson's admission, the pair shared the honours in their previous match-ups.
The 189cm defender took Franklin's scalp in a 2007 semi-final, holding the budding star to 3.3 in North's 33-point triumph at the MCG.
In round three 2008, the mercurial key forward kicked 5.4 – but only 1.3 later that season - against North, on his way to 113 goals in the Hawks' premiership year.
The next season was Gibson's last at North and in the ensuing four years at Hawthorn he regularly battled Franklin at training.
"I can't tell you my secrets…but defend first I think is the main one," the 155-game veteran said.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and skipper Luke Hodge have both publicly warned the Hawks against focusing too much on their former three-time leading goal-kicker.
'Buddy' booted 580 goals in 182 games for the reigning premiers, but the Swans could include Kurt Tippett for his first game this season – adding more tall forward potency alongside Adam Goodes and Sam Reid.
"They've got some tall timber, but if we can bring the ball to ground I guess we've got smaller running backs," Gibson said.
The Hawks have lost full-back Brian Lake for a month with a calf injury, but Ben Stratton should come back into the side which annihilated St Kilda by 145 points.
Developing swingman Ryan Schoenmakers booted four goals in two-and-a-bit quarters up forward before heading back and he could start in defence against the Swans' talls.
Gibson is another backman the Hawks would like to throw forward at times although, due to injuries, that opportunity hasn't arisen yet this season.
"I’d like to get up forward at some stage, but the real work happens down back," Gibson joked.
"So I'll let those other guys kick goals and celebrate and high-five the crowd and I'll do all the hard work."
