HAWTHORN superstar Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has said he will take any possible match up with Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett in his “stride”.

The 21-year-old was speaking before the 2008 Toyota Grand Final Parade through Melbourne ahead of Saturday’s decider against the reigning premiers at the MCG.

“It’s going to be tough. He’s one of the best full backs going around so I’m just going to take it in my stride and do my best,” Franklin said, before parading with his teammates through the city in front of thousands of fans.

Franklin insisted that he wouldn’t be focused on increasing his impact on the scoreboard after he booted just one major in the Hawks’ preliminary final victory over the St Kilda.

“Everybody’s got to be playing their role. It’s not just going to be one person that’s going to win the game for the team. Everybody’s just got to play their role and hopefully we can get over the line.”

The Coleman medalist is planning a solid sleep on Friday night ahead of what is his first grand final, having not even experienced a premiership decider at junior level.

“Hopefully I’ll be in bed before 9pm and sleep until about 9am but I’ll have to wait and see what happens…It’s my first grand final ever so I’m just looking forward to it.”

It’s already been a big week for the 21-year-old.

Around 10,000 fans attended the Hawks’ open training session on Thursday and Franklin admitted that seeing the amount of supporters there, and at the parade on Friday, really emphasised just how big an occasion it is.

“It was massive yesterday. It was really the first time we started to experience what it’s like to be in a grand final but we’re a young group and we’re just looking forward to getting out there.”

Franklin is also looking forward to having great support at the game itself.
“The whole family is over (from WA), my sisters and all my mates, so it should be really good.”