Hawthorn star Lance Franklin kicked five goals and knocked out Richmond's Ben Cousins in a 42-point AFL win for the Hawks at the MCG.

The 20.15 (135) to 14.9 (93) win kept the defending premiers' slim finals hopes alive with one round left.

Franklin's third-term collision with Ben Cousins will come under video review, but it looked like a legitimate bump that caught the Brownlow Medallist high.

The clash between two of the AFL's biggest names forced Cousins from the field for the rest of the match.

Franklin had an eventful night. He also kicked six behinds and twice pushed away opponents with brute strength before kicking at goal.

Richmond utility Graham Polak and Hawks ruckman Max Bailey completed gutsy comebacks from injury.

Polak suffered brain damage when hit by a tram last year and Bailey has overcome two knee reconstructions.

Hawthorn were leading by 16 points at 21 minutes in the third quarter when Cousins gained possession.

As he tried to baulk and clear the ball out of defence, Franklin collected him solidly with his upper arm and sent him flying to the ground.

The collision knocked the ball clear and Beau Dowler snapped his third goal.

Moments later, Franklin's opponent Luke McGuane hit Michael Osborne with a short jab to the stomach, right in front of an umpire.

Osborne was paid a free kick without the ball being returned to the centre and he scored to give the Hawks a two-goal play and put them 28 points ahead.

It took two Richmond officials several minutes to convince Cousins to leave the field, but the Tigers star was clearly dazed.

Earlier in the third term, Hawks youngster Josh Kennedy again showed he needs to be more selfish in front of goals.

Kennedy was undecided, well within range, and tried desperately to pass the ball to Franklin before the Tigers defenders pounced and he was caught holding the ball.

It was a similar scenario to what happened late in Hawthorn's one-point loss to Geelong in round 17.

The Hawks led by 38 points early in the final term, before the Tigers reduced the margin to 19 points.

Hawthorn then brushed aside the late challenge to win comfortably.

Richmond played much better than their woeful losses in the last fortnight to Sydney and Collingwood.

But Hawthorn had too much class, with Brad Sewell outstanding through the midfield and Luke Hodge marking his 150th game with a solid performance.

Midfielder Brett Deledio was Richmond's best and kicked two goals.

Franklin was nursing a bloodied tooth post-match, following an incident just before the final siren.

It is understood he gave away the penalty because he swore at the umpires while protesting about the contact to his mouth.

Franklin had a tooth knocked out a fortnight ago in the loss to St Kilda and apparently it was knocked loose again.

But his dental problems were nothing compared to Richmond's long casualty list by the end of the game.

Apart from Cousins' concussion, Will Thursfield was forced from the field in the first term when a heavy collision damaged the a/c joint in his right shoulder.

Danny Jackson (ankle), Chris Newman (knee) and Shane Edwards (eye) were also hurt.

"We had a bit of a rolling door through the bench with injuries at times, but that's the game," said coach Jade Rawlings.

The Tigers caretaker coach was philosophical about the news earlier on Saturday that he had missed out on the permanent job, with the club to now decide between Hawks assistant coach Damien Hardwick and Geelong assistant Ken Hinkley.

"I wanted to kill him when he first told me, Craig Cameron," said Rawlings, nodding towards the Richmond football director with mock seriousness.

"Have a look at him, he thinks it's funny!

"I was genuinely disappointed, Craig and I have a terrific relationship ... after the initial disappointment and a bit of anger that I missed out, the positives that have come out of the opportunity are no end."

Rawlings added that Cousins was likely to be fit for next weekend's match at Subiaco against his old club West Coast, while Polak also would probably play.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson found out post-match that Brisbane had beaten Port Adelaide.

Should Fremantle upset Essendon on Sunday, then Hawthorn will take eighth spot with a win over Essendon next Saturday.

But Clarkson also stressed his team needs to improve.

"It's interesting circumstances that Brisbane were able to get up, that keeps us alive a little bit - it's extraordinary the way the season is panning out," he said.

"But that might all be extinguished tomorrow - it might be big smiles tonight and sad faces tomorrow (if Essendon win).

"At the present time, we don't deserve to be playing finals footy with the way we've played over the ... bulk of the season.

"If we manage to limp in there, we'll take it."

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