Lance Franklin's latest AFL report has come at the worst possible time for Hawthorn as they try to recast their forward setup.

Franklin was booked for striking Gold Coast youngster Maverick Weller in Saturday's 71-point win at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

The incident was the major talking point in Hawthorn's regulation 19.15 (129) to 8.10 (58) win.

It comes a week after they lost their No.2 key forward Jarryd Roughead for the rest of the season with an achilles tendon injury, forcing the top-four aspirants to reorganise their setup in attack.

Immediately after the final siren, Franklin was asked on Network Ten if he was confident of being available for Friday night's game against Essendon.

"Yeah definitely, I think there was nothing in it, really, so we'll see what happens," he said.

Field umpire Scott Jeffery booked Franklin in the third quarter for striking Weller.

It is now up to Monday's match review panel to rule on the incident.

"I can't say anything, he's been reported, we'll just have to wait and see," said coach Alastair Clarkson.

"He's a pretty important player for us, the big 'Bud', but these things happen in footy and we'll see what the outcome of the tribunal is throughout the week."

If the panel upholds the charge, Franklin will probably miss more than one game because he has a poor record, which would mean a loading on his penalty.

He missed three separate games last year through suspension.

Franklin's upper arm collected Weller's head in a high-speed collision.

But Hawks team-mate Rick Ladson tackled Weller and this appeared to throw the Suns player off balance before the collision.

The panel could decide that tackle contributed to the contact and rule it was accidental, meaning no charge.

Weller was dazed by the blow, but played out the game.

After a tight and scrappy first half, the Hawks broke the game apart in the second half with 13 goals to four.

Franklin had an eventful game - apart from the report, he also had a solid duel with Nathan Bock.

The Hawks star took a soaring mark, which he promptly wasted with a kick out on the full, and finished with 3.4.

Hawks defender Sam Mitchell was best on ground, while youngsters Luke Bruest and Shane Savage kicked four goals apiece.

Suns captain Gary Ablett was again solid and Lynch impressed with three goals.

Clarkson said his team had done well, considering the Hawks had to make five changes this week because of injury.

Ryan Schoenmakers was a late withdrawal with a foot injury.

"To settle our side and get them to play a brand of footy that gives us a 10-goal victory, we're pretty happy with," Clarkson said.

Suns coach Guy McKenna was pleased with his team's start, but again the AFL newcomers eventually ran out of steam against bigger and better opposition.

"I probably see it with one red eye and one yellow eye, but that's probably as good as we can play for that amount of (time) and stand up against these bigger sides and older sides," he said.

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