HAWTHORN will need to beat Sydney without star forward Lance Franklin on Friday night in the first Qualifying Final, but history is on their side.

The Hawks have won 11 of their past 12 matches without the four-time All Australian, dating back to round 16, 2010.

They have averaged 104.8 points with him in the line-up, compared to 127.9 points without him.

However, only one of the 11 wins was against a team placed in the top four at the time of the clash.

On Monday, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said Franklin would be missed, but he would still be confident against the Swans.

"He's a very important player for our side, but we have worked very hard over the last 12 months to spread our load and that's not just to do with 'Buddy' but through our midfield as well," Clarkson said.

Even without Franklin, the Hawks' forward line will still contain three players who have kicked 35 or more goals this season, including Coleman medallist Jarryd Roughead (68).

The others are Luke Breust (37) and Jack Gunston (35).

Franklin booted 58 goals during the home and away season, averaging his fewest goals per game since 2006 as the Hawks sought to spread their goal distribution more evenly.