HE MAY be a picture of confidence on the field, but Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin admits that it can take some time to push through some early nerves – especially if kicking for goal isn't falling his way.

Franklin has booted 110 goals and 86 behinds so far this season, with the Coleman Medallist's kicking style attracting plenty of scrutiny from the media.

"Probably when I've missed my first four or five shots I tend to get a little bit nervous in front of goal," he said on Tuesday.

"I don't think about it too much, I just go out there and try to enjoy myself and enjoy my football.

"I just practise my kicking two or three times a week and just stick to my routine. It doesn't get to me at all.

"My set shots have been a little bit down this year but as I've said, I've been working on it. It's going to improve slowly, I just don't know when … hopefully next week."

Hawthorn will meet the winner of Saturday night's clash between St Kilda and Collingwood in a preliminary final, with Franklin keen to add to his eight-goal performance in the 51-point thrashing of the Western Bulldogs last weekend.

While Franklin won plenty of praise for his game against the Dogs, he was clearly irked by Bulldogs full-back Brian Lake and resultant retaliation conceded a 50m penalty for his side in the second quarter.

The 21-year-old was dragged to the interchange and earned the wrath of assistant coach Damien Hardwick, who was on the other end of the phone.

"He gave me a bit of a spray and told me not to do it again which was most called for, I would have thought," Franklin said.

"I probably got a little bit carried away. A bit angry."

Despite the interest in Franklin's every move, with his profile seeming to swell with each week, vice-captain Luke Hodge suggests little has changed from a team perspective.

Supporters, broadcasters, opponents and teammates have been caught up in the big man's momentum, with his influence central to Hawthorn's prospects of a playing in its first grand final since 1991.

"We haven't had to do anything this year, that's been the best part about it," Hodge said.

"Whether he's had a good game or a bad game, on Monday morning he's still the same old Buddy. He still comes in and has a joke.

"I think that's the best part about him that we've seen this year."