Staying ... Lance Franklin is expected to sign a new contract with Hawthorn. Source: News Limited
Lance Franklin will resist the lucrative offers of rival AFL suitors by committing long-term to Hawthorn, according to his manager Liam Pickering.
Pickering insisted that Franklin, who comes out of contract at the end of next season, wanted to stay with the Hawks well beyond 2013.
"We'll get it done with Hawthorn, don't even worry about that," Pickering said on SEN.
"There is no need to test the free agency market with Lance Franklin.
"Let's be honest, every club would want Buddy. But he will stay with Hawthorn. It will all be sorted."
When asked if he believed Franklin wanted to remain a one-club player - as the champion forward has long suggested - Pickering said: "I would assume so, yes."
Fremantle ruled itself out of chasing Franklin this week, baulking at a massive offer that would be needed to tempt the one-time West Australian.
Franklin, 25, becomes a restricted free agent at the end of next season.
But Hawthorn has stated one of its priorities before the start of next season is to secure Franklin on a new long-term deal to ensure it is not a distraction.
Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox confirmed this after the Grand Final loss to Sydney.
"Once everyone has a break, we will get back into it and we will have a good look at it (Franklin's contract)," Fox said in late September.
Asked whether he wanted to have it done before Hawthorn's first game next year, he said: "Absolutely."
Fox said the club would follow the same policy as this year in trying to limit distractions by getting as many player contracts completed before the season begins.
"(President) Andrew (Newbold) and I will use that same philosophy," he said. "We will try to just focus on our footy."
Franklin, who turns 26 in January, has played 161 games since being drafted in late 2004.
He has kicked 520 career goals, with his best season being in 2008 when he booted 113 goals.
Franklin managed 69 goals this season from his 19 games, including 3.4 in Hawthorn's Grand Final loss to Sydney.
One of Hawthorn's greatest full-forwards, Peter Hudson, forecast during the year that Franklin could reach 1000 goals before the end of his career.
Hudson said Franklin, who averages 3.2 goals per game, has the potential to become the sixth player to reach 1000 goals if he stays sound.
"People are always saying that it is not possible to kick 100 goals in a season, or even 18 in a game," Hudson told the Herald Sun in June.
"That's just rubbish. I never say never.
"If you have a natural goalkicker come along like Buddy Franklin, anything is possible."
Pickering insisted yesterday that Franklin, who comes out of contract at the end of next season, wanted to stay with the Hawks well beyond 2013.
"We'll get it done with Hawthorn, don't even worry about that,'' Pickering said on SEN yesterday.
"There is no need to be test the free agency market with Lance Franklin. Let's be honest, every club would want Buddy Franklin.
"But he will stay with Hawthorn. It will all be sorted.''
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