WITH HIS side waiting for a preliminary final challenger, Hawthorn spearhead Lance Franklin is relishing being part of September football.

The Hawks beat the third-placed Western Bulldogs by 51 points in last Friday's qualifying final in front of more than 76,000 people, and now have a week off before meeting the winner of Saturday night's semi between St Kilda and Collingwood.

"I love the big occasion," Franklin said from Waverley on Tuesday. "I love finals footy and I love being out there.

"It's a bigger stage … most of the boys love getting out there in front of big crowds and just enjoying it. To be out there with 22 mates on the biggest stage of the year is an outstanding place to be, I reckon."

Friday night's triumph was Franklin's third taste of finals, after last year's thrilling sudden-death win over Adelaide and a defeat to North Melbourne the following week, and his eight goals against the Dogs brings his September tally to 18.

His most recent performance encouraged former Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews, considered by some to be the greatest player ever, to forecast the unofficial title could belong to Franklin as his career unfolds.

The 21-year-old said he didn't pay great heed to Matthews' comments and, at this stage, is only worried about his contribution to his team's fortunes.

"I don't read too much into it," he said. "I just concentrate on my football and don't let it get to me at all.

"If I was half as good as him (Matthews) I'd be alright."

Vice-captain Luke Hodge said Franklin could achieve anything if he continued to improve at the same rate.

"If he keeps working hard, and as you've seen on the track this year he's probably up there with our hardest trainers, nothing is going to stop him."

After 73 goals from 22 matches in 2007, Franklin has found greater strengths this year – becoming the first player in 10 years to reach 100 goals in a season and earning his first Coleman Medal as the competition's leading goalkicker.

However, Franklin was coy about how he could develop from here.

"I'm still learning the game, I'm only 21," he said.

"I've got to keep training hard and improving out on the track and then I'll see how far I do go."

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