Franklin got his right arm caught in an awkward place and crashed in to teammate David Hale while trying to lay a tackle in the first quarter.
He was in obvious discomfort and immediately left the field of play favouring his right arm.
"I was a little bit sore, but got checked by the doctors and was alright to play out the game," Franklin told reporters on Saturday.
"I'm good to go, so just want to get out there already."
He says the pain is numbed by knowing what lies ahead.
"It's always good after an exciting win. I don't think anyone feels any injuries after winning a prelim and getting ourselves in to a Grand Final," he said.
"It was just an unbelievable experience last night and something I'll never forget."
Unfortunately, Brendan Whitecross will not be there to seek redemption for last year's flag heartbreak.
Hawthorn has all but confirmed a second torn ACL for the unlucky defender, just twelve months after sustaining the same injury in the 2012 qualifying final which forced him to miss last year's decider.
Franklin said it was "devastating" news for a popular member of the team.
"He's (Whitecross) a big part of the footy club and to see such a great player and a great person go down with a serious knee injury is devastating for the football club," Franklin said.
"He's here today, which shows the character of the guy. To be here after hurting his knee demonstrates what a quality person he is to have around the footy club."
Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli kicked just one goal between them against the Cats, but importantly the Hawks had a number of players who stepped up.
Jack Gunston (four goals), Shaun Burgoyne (three), David Hale (two) and Bradley Hill (two) all provided other avenues to goal.
"The last couple of years we've had a good spread of goalkickers and that's what you want – you want to have six dangerous forwards up there that on any given day anyone can kick goals," Roughead said.
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
