SYDNEY Coach John Longmire says his defenders won’t niggle Lance Franklin in Saturday night’s Grand Final re-match.

Franklin has been held goalless in his past two matches, first by North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson and then by Adelaide’s Daniel Talia.

It is the first time since 2005, Franklin’s debut season that the star forward has failed to kick a goal in consecutive matches.

Playing alongside arguably the greatest forward of all time, Wayne Carey, John Longmire says niggling tactics generally don’t work against the best forwards.

He says he won’t be instructing Ted Richards or Heath Grundy to try to get under Franklin’s skin on Saturday night.

“No, my experience with the very best players - that's not something you try and do," Longmire said at the SCG on Tuesday.

"I saw some niggling tactics trying to be applied to (North Melbourne teammate) Wayne Carey and they weren't that successful, so no.

"We go about our business and try and make sure we beat them as we should, which is in a really good strong contest."

Defenders have tried niggling tactics on Franklin before, most notably in Hawthorn’s Qualifying Final win over Collingwood last season.

On that night, Pies defender Chris Tarrant used the tactics in an attempt to throw Franklin off his game by continuously bumping and making contact to Franklin’s body both in contests and off the ball.

The tactics didn’t work for the Magpies, however, with Franklin booting four goals – including one on the half time siren to give the Hawks the momentum at the long break.

Franklin still managed to have seven shots on goal.

The Hawks spearhead finished the game as Hawthorn’s leading goal kicker and was named in the best with 18 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s and 4.3.

Longmire knows it’s only a matter of time before Franklin hits the scoreboard again, given he has still managed to find the football.

Franklin gathered 17 disposals and had five inside 50s against the Crows on Saturday.

"He's been working hard and presenting and the best way of playing well is to do the things he's been doing," Longmire said.

"You know eventually it turns, particularly with the very, very best players and he is one of the very best players.”