Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says star forward Lance Franklin is a certain starter for Friday night's AFL preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG.

Franklin was training with his teammates at the MCG on Thursday morning after a stomach bug at the start of the week.

This follows the bone bruising he suffered in the qualifying final loss to Geelong.

Franklin made a speedy recovery from that knee injury to kick four goals in the semi-final win against Sydney last Friday night and he will be a key player for the Hawks as they try to upset the reigning premiers.

Clarkson declared before the training run that Franklin was "as a good as gold" for Friday's big clash.

Clarkson added that the Hawks must bring the same intensity they showed in the first quarter against the Swans if they are to have any chance against the Magpies, who beat them easily in their only clash this season.

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