IF LANCE Franklin is to turn around an average record against Geelong then he will have to overcome old nemesis Tom Lonergan in Friday night's preliminary final showdown at the MCG.

Lonergan, 32, has been one defender that has had the upper hand in battles against the Sydney Swans superstar, with Franklin's impact against the Cats particularly diminished in finals games.

Remarkably, Franklin has taken just one mark from 29 contests when opposed to Lonergan in one-on-one battles since 2012.

He has, however, won seven other duels against Lonergan through either a free kick or ground level wins, according to Champion Data.

Mega-preview: Cats v Swans

Franklin, 29, has played in three finals against Geelong, all three coming as a Hawthorn player. Two of those contests, the 2011 qualifying final and the 2013 preliminary final he was opposed to Lonergan for the bulk of the night.

In the qualifying final, which the Hawks lost by 31 points, Franklin booted four goals from eight disposals in 109 minutes while matched up on Lonergan.

The Cats' shutdown specialist hit back strongly in the second finals meeting with Lonergan restricting Franklin to one goal, 16 disposals and four marks in 104 minutes opposed against one another.

This was of course Franklin's last year at Hawthorn and Alastair Clarkson was already planning for his departure at the end of the season by playing him in a role further up the ground.

Illustrating Lonergan's supremacy is the fact that Franklin's marks inside 50 against Geelong in finals games reduce by half. As do his ability to find and win contested possessions, while his score assists are also limited.

Franklin has faced off against the Cats twice as a Swans player since making the move to the Harbour City at the end of 2013.

He kicked four goals against the Cats in round seven last season as the Swans belted an injury-hit Geelong side at ANZ Stadium.

But Franklin was well held when the teams met earlier this season, kicking just one major as Lonergan spent 103 minutes on the gun forward. The Swans, however, hammered the Cats by 38 points in round 16.

Stopping Franklin will be vital, but as Cats defender Harry Taylor suggested earlier in the week his club would also have to be wary of the likes of Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley and Luke Parker when he drifts forward.

"Worrying about a player (such as Franklin), albeit someone who is a fantastic player, means you forget about five or six or maybe seven other guys that can rotate through there and hit the scoreboard just as well," Taylor said.

"We need to look at their forward line as a collective, particularly how they all work together."

A more rounded player this season than ever before, the Cats will have to be on alert when he floats up the ground and not just worry about his movements when stationed inside forward 50.

Lonergan will again be called upon to do the job on Franklin and if he can, he will further enhance his reputation as one of the game's top defenders.

Franklin v Geelong, 2008 Grand Final
Opposed to one of the greatest defenders of the modern era in Matthew Scarlett, Franklin was held in check for much of the contest but still stepped up to kick two majors in the second half. Franklin also played a vital role by taking Scarlett away from the play and allowing Mark Williams, Stuart Dew and Jarryd Roughead room to operate inside forward 50.

Lance Franklin and Matthew Scarlett doing battle during the 2008 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos

Franklin v Geelong, 2011 qualifying final
The Hawk superstar did his best to spark his team but Geelong ultimately proved too strong, running out 31-point winners. A super goal from tight on the boundary line was the highlight but he was forced to leave the field late in the final term after hyperextending his knee in a marking contest.

Tom Lonergan harrassing Franklin close to Hawthorn's forward 50. Picture: AFL Photos

Franklin v Geelong, round one, 2013
Lonergan again neutralised Franklin's impact as the Hawk spearhead kicked just two goals on the day. The Cats came from five goals down to win their 10th straight game against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

Lonergan intercepts a Franklin marking attempt in a memorable Cats win. Picture: Lachlan Cunningham

Franklin v Geelong, 2013 preliminary final
Franklin, who hyperextended his right elbow in the first quarter, managed just 16 possessions and one goal, as Lonergan took the points. His team, however, came from 20 points down at three-quarter time to win a thrilling game. It would prove to be the star forward's penultimate game in the brown and gold.

Franklin feeling the pain in a brutal 2013 preliminary final. Picture: Lachlan Cunningham


Franklin v Geelong, round seven, 2015
Franklin kicked four goals and had a big impact in the 43-point win, but his influence could have been greater had he packed his kicking boots. The star Swan also kicked five behinds and even kicked 2.4 in the first half.

Stevie J and Franklin butting heads during a round seven encounter. Picture: AFL Photos

Lance Franklin vs Tom Lonergan

Lance Franklin – Finals Averages

Stats supplied by Champion Data