Hawthorn star Lance "Buddy" Franklin says he suffered no "real" injury when he copped a punch in the face during an brawl in a West Australian pub.

Franklin arrived back in Melbourne on Monday afternoon ahead of the Brownlow medal count.

He was greeted by waiting media at the airport after reports surfaced he was punched in the face at a popular Perth pub in the northern suburb of Innaloo on Sunday night.

Hawthorn said Franklin had been cleared of any serious injury or wrongdoing following a scuffle at the Botanica pub in the northern Perth suburb of Innaloo about 9.30pm (WST) on Sunday.

Franklin contacted the club to inform them of the altercation which occurred while he was out with his sister, West Coast Fever netballer Bianca Franklin, her fiance Wallabies star Matt Giteau and Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe.

"I was on the way to the toilet when an altercation broke out and I copped one in the face," Franklin said in a statement issued by Hawthorn.

"I'm fine, no real injury, it's just a bit disappointing to have that happen when you're out just trying to enjoy some time off with family and friends."

Quoting unnamed police sources, News Ltd said Franklin was punched in the face, sustaining bruising to his eye and a swollen lip.

"There was a blue," the News Ltd website reported the source as saying.

"There is no suggestion they (the footballers) were the instigators."

Sergeant Greg Lambert said police had been called to the pub after 9pm (WST) but no complaint had been made to police and there was no evidence to suggest any offence had occurred.

"It was all peaceful while we were there and when we left," Sgt Lambert said.

"No one came forward or made a complaint and everything was found to be orderly.

"Obviously, if there was any offence we need a willing complainant."

Botanica manager Sean McCann said he did not see the brawl but high profile sporting identities were often targets for thugs.

Mr McCann said if the offenders were identified they would be banned from the venue permanently.

"He (Franklin) has told me before that he doesn't go out at all in Melbourne because he attracts a lot of attention. I would say that's what's happened," Mr McCann told Fairfax.

"There is that element who have to pay out on someone who has some sort of profile," he said.

"I don't want those types of people in my venue. I am happy to have the sporting people here because they're good people. But the idiots, we want to get rid of them."

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