After watching Lance Franklin in action indoors at Waverley on Tuesday, it's clear the mercurial Hawk would rather be standing deep on the forward flank at the MCG with the football in his hands as the final siren sounds with his team trailing by five points on Grand Final day, than talk to journalists.

Fronting an all-in media conference for the first time this year alongside team-mate Luke Hodge, the Coleman Medalist fidgeted and squirmed through 15 minutes of hell.

He was as tense and nervous as the defenders who are assigned each week to keep him on a tight rein.

And like those defenders, Franklin tried his best, but clearly his caper is scoring goals rather than offering insights.

Asked what he thought about Leigh Matthews' compliment that he may evolve into the greatest player of all time, the 21-year-old said he didn't know what to think.

He said he tries to ignore the public debate about him, he wants to keep working hard to improve as a player and doesn't suffer from nerves even on the biggest stage.

"Most of the boys love getting out there in front of big crowds and it's an outstanding place to be," Franklin said.

"I just go out there and enjoy myself."

"I love the big occasion. I love finals footy. I love being out there."

Franklin relaxed a little when taking about the footy with which he scored his 100th goal two weeks ago which was returned to him by, of all people, a Carlton supporter.

"If I'd grabbed it I probably would have kept it," Franklin admitted.

Asked what he would do with the ball, Franklin joked, "I'll probably sell it!"

"Nah, I'm gunna box it up and put it in my pool room."

Hodge, meanwhile, said he believes the Hawks of 2008 are more mature and better prepared than the team which was bundled out in the second week of the finals last year by North Melbourne.

He agreed Hawthorn played 'convincing football' first-up to defeat the Western Bulldogs by 51 points at the MCG and more of the same would hold the club in good stead.

"We didn't get too carried away after the win on Friday night," said Hodge.

"The boys have had that extra year from the disappointment of last year, the second final."

"We're playing more as a team this year and everything we do is for the benefit of the team."

"We've done a lot of hard work this year to get in this position so it would be pretty disappointing if we weren't ready."

"Having the disappointment of last year, it's made us a little more headstrong and we'll know what to do when we go out and play in a fortnight's time."