What Clarko says
23. Lance Franklin
Today’s feature comes from sunny Adelaide where I’m here with Hawks Legend Peter Hudson for the Tour Down Under thanks to Hawthorn’s major partner Bupa.
Our analysis today features none other than number 23 - Lance Franklin.
Once again, in 2012 we’re expecting Lance to be a strong pillar in our forward-line.
He had to deal with a fair workload last year due to the Achilles injury of Jarryd Roughead, which put quite a lot of emphasis on Lance and his work in the front-end of the ground.
He was able to stand-up and deliver for us on countless occasions in 2011 despite the increased pressure and scrutiny on his game.
Like all footballers, we as coaches marvel at some of the exploits that he is able to achieve on the football field.
All we really ask is that he fulfil the role we ask him to play from week-to-week, and sometimes that requires him to be in the forward-line kicking goals, and on other occasions it requires him to be higher up the ground allowing our other forwards to be focal points for our midfielders and defenders coming down the ground.
Lance’s athleticism has always been a great feature of his game; he’s one of the fittest players at our Club.
He’s had a great pre-season to-date, and those who will recall last year when he hurt his knee in the dying moments of our loss against Geelong in the Qualifying Final, he got himself up to play against the Sydney Swans the following week which showed his maturity and durability and just how far he’s come along in terms of his professionalism.
He showed his teammates, coaches and all of those in the football community how seriously and professionally he takes his role.
Lance has matured over the past three to four seasons and is now part of our leadership group.
At 25 years of age, we expect him to be a very important player in our side for the years ahead.
Thanks for your support of our summer series counting down our playing list, and we look forward to tomorrow’s feature on an emerging player in number 22 - Luke Breust.
What are your thoughts?
Leave your comments on Lance Franklin below with fellow Hawks fans. What impresses you most about Lance? How can Lance take the next step in 2012?
Return to Clarko's Summer Series
