HAWTHORN'S new football manager James Fantasia is yet to sit down with star forward Lance Franklin to discuss his contract situation, according to coach Alastair Clarkson.
Fantasia crossed from the Western Bulldogs in early April to take up the post of Hawks' general manager of football, replacing Mark Evans, the AFL's new general manager of football operations.
Franklin has put contract talks on hold until the end of the season, when he will become a restricted free agent, and the arrival of Fantasia has not changed that situation.
"I don’t think so," Clarkson said on Friday when asked if Fantasia had held talks with Franklin about his contract situation.
"It's the same state as it's been all along; he'll make that call when he needs to at the end of the year."
Franklin has been linked to this Saturday's opponent, Greater Western Sydney, with Giants coach Kevin Sheedy urging his club to chase the four-time All-Australian at the end of this season.
The star goalkicker recently had a goalless fortnight against North Melbourne and Adelaide, but he bounced back to form against the Sydney Swans in round seven.
"He played a pretty important role for us last week," Clarkson said.
"He obviously got going early and kicked three in the first half, and in the second half he sacrificed his game a little bit to allow other guys to be a focal point for us up forward.
"We were really pleased with his game last week.
"They were terrific goals. All three of his goals were real team-lifting goals."
No movement on Buddy contract
James Fantasia is yet to sit down with star forward Lance Franklin to discuss his contract situation, according to coach Alastair Clarkson.