Franklin's sixth goal gave the Hawks a 26-point lead 20 minutes into the final term, but the Eagles booted the last three goals of the match in a stirring late charge that fell agonisingly short as the Hawks held on for the 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) victory.
Sam Mitchell's influence was almost as profound as Franklin's, with the former skipper amassing 37 possessions in the scrappy affair.
The Hawks were heavily favoured going into the match, but it was West Coast that made the early running with pressure on the ball carrier a feature. Josh Kennedy proved a handful for direct opponent Josh Gibson, with his two goals helping the Eagles to a 10-point lead at quarter-time.
Hawthorn's efficiency when it did manage to go inside 50 kept the home side within striking distance.
Cyril Rioli provided the spark that snapped his team out of its lethargy, with his long run that ended in a Jarryd Roughead goal midway through the second term igniting the crowd and spurring the Hawks to a one-point lead at the main break.
The Eagles were able to successfully re-apply the screws in the third quarter, but three goals to Franklin in the final term proved pivotal.
In a game with few highlights, Franklin and Mitchell stood head and shoulders above their teammates for the most part, but Rioli was able to burst onto the scene at some crucial moments.
Whilst the Eagles depart Launceston without the premiership points, they continued their encouraging start to a season where many had them consigned to the bottom four.
Influential players
It's not often a coach will admit it, but Alastair Clarkson agreed Lance Franklin and Sam Mitchell saved the Hawks' bacon. Mitchell's drive and Franklin's ability to gather possessions up the field and kick goals were the difference.
Matt Priddis led the way for the Eagles and at one stage looked set to surpass Jude Bolton's tackling record. He finished the game with 14 tackles and 26 touches, while Dean Cox was also influential around the stoppages with 36 hitouts.
What it means
The Hawks still have a lot of work to do if they're going to catch Collingwood. Clarkson has his eyes on the big prize and, knows his side must reel in the Pies to claim it. The pressure exerted by the Eagles, while commendable, isn't really comparable to what Mick Malthouse's men can muster.
The result also means John Worsfold really does have his team headed in the right direction. He was talked of as one of the coaches most under pressure before the season, but he is well on his way to earning a contract extension given his side's surprising early season form.
The next four
Hawthorn: Geelong (MCG), Bye, Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium), St Kilda (MCG)
West Coast: Bye, Melbourne (Patersons Stadium), Essendon (Etihad Stadium), Fremantle (Patersons Stadium)
Dream Team highlight
Hawthorn
Mitchell just shaded Franklin, 129 points to 127, which is not surprising given their influence on the game. The Hawks had six players score over 100 points with Clinton Young, Cameron Bruce, Brad Sewell and Grant Birchall all breaking the century.
West Coast
Matt Priddis was the biggest Dream Team stud on the ground with his 14 tackles helping him to a score of 132. Youngster Jack Darling also impressed with an even 100.
What the coaches said
Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
"We ended up getting well enough in front with five or six minutes to go that we should have won comfortably in the end, but it was a little bit like the game - despite us being up by four goals I don't think we were a four-goal better side today.
"I thought West Coast played particularly well and, at different stages, were a better side than us on the day. We were really pleased to get the four points."
John Worsfold (West Coast)
"Obviously we came here to win the game and we couldn't win it so it's disappointing, but we're satisfied with the intensity of the players, for sure. Regardless of the last 10 minutes, it's the 120 minutes of the game we were looking at and we're happy with that."
Turning point
Franklin and Mitchell had kept their side in the contest in the face of some intense West Coast pressure in the first three quarters. Mitchell tired a little in the final term, but Franklin stepped up to boot three goals in the first 20 minutes to help establish a match-winning lead.
New faces
Gold Coast had the weight of numbers at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, but West Coast can be rightly proud of their shrewd work in snaring Andrew Gaff and Jack Darling at four and 26 respectively. Both have a touch of class about them and possess that uncanny knack to be able to do something just when their team needs it.
Hawthorn 2.0 5.4 6.8 10.12 (72)
West Coast 3.4 4.9 6.10 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Burgoyne, Roughead, Lewis, Birchall
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Shuey, Embley, Gaff, Rosa, Darling
BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Birchall, Rioli, Suckling, Gilham, Young
West Coast: Priddis, Cox, Darling, Butler, Kennedy, Rosa, Glass
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
West Coast: Brown (thumb)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: David Hale replaced by Brent Guerra in the third quarter
West Coast: Will Schofield replaced by Bradd Dalziell in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kamolins, Hay, Jeffery
Official crowd: 15,000 (est) at Aurora Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
