HAWTHORN’S star forward Lance Franklin says he is frustrated by the level of attention he faces off the field and has had to limit the amount he goes out in public.

The gun 21-year-old, who is leading the league goal-kicking tally, also hit out at those who have suggested he is a party boy at heart.

"Sometimes it just surprises me because these people don't actually know me personally," Franklin said of such claims.

"People are having a go at me when they actually don't know me on a personal basis.

"People have obviously got their point of view about me, but if you don't know me, you don't know me personally, I don't know how people can make assumptions to be honest.

"It does surprise me sometimes when that does pop up, it does get to me sometimes when I do hear it.

"I like to go out and have a beer, there's nothing wrong with that, that's what sometimes does surprise me.

"I'm no different to any other guy on the list that will go out and have a few beers with my mates."

Franklin said he was really a shy person, and when asked about a comment made earlier this year by former North Melbourne premiership captain Wayne Carey that he would have to lock himself at home to avoid unwelcome attention due to his star status, the Hawthorn forward replied: "That's what I've done."

"It is unfair but they are the things you've got to do, it's definitely worth it, it's definitely worth it," Franklin told Nine Network program The Footy Show on Thursday night in a rare interview.

"It's the best lifestyle, but then it's got the (negative) things that come with it and some people find it hard, which I do, but other people mightn't."

Franklin admitted he had been forced to alter his behaviour as he became more aware of what a magnet he was for public attention.

"I've stopped going out as much as I have in the first couple of years," he said.

"You've got to make a lot of sacrifices to be an AFL footballer and I'm not the only one that does that, there's a lot of other AFL players that have to do exactly the same.

"The off-field stuff, it is very hard to go out and have a quiet drink with your teammates.

"It's taken me a long time, it's nearly four years now and I'm just realising a lot of people do recognise me when I go out and it is hard.

"I'm still learning, it's taken me ages and it's going to take me ages to realise."

Check back later on afl.com.au to watch Buddy Franklin answer questions about his incredible on-field feats.