Franklin will not play in tomorrow’s crucial clash against Essendon and the first week of the finals if the Hawks defeat the Bombers and take the eight spot and a spot in the elimination finals.

Hawthorns football operations manager Mark Evens was disappointed with the ruling, saying: ”We put up a pretty good fight and got across a lot of points,” he said.

”The point, for me, still remains that I’m not sure this law is in the spirit of the game [and] we look forward to lobbying the AFL about what we can do to get that reversed to a much more reasonable position.”

The Hawk’s haven’t ruled out legal action, but Evans said: ”At this stage we’re happy with what occurred tonight and we’ll go home and sleep on it.”

The point of rule was argued based on an error in law, as “no tribunal acting reasonably” could have found Franklin guilty of rough conduct for his bump on Richmond’s Ben Cousins.

The bump took place in the third quarter of a match against the Tigers, which left the former West Coast star concussed.

If Hawthorn beat Essendon and win their elimination round match Franklin could return this season.

”I was disappointed Tuesday night and nothing’s really changed,” he said as he left last night’s marathon hearing.

The Hawks will play tomorrow’s important game without a tall forward, as Jarryd Roughead and Mark Williams are unavailable.

Thanks to Fox Sports for the above quotes.  For more information visit their website.

Lance Franklin was found guilty of rough conduct because of his bump on Richmond’s Ben Cousins at the MCG last Saturday night, leaving the Tiger concussed.

Franklin was suspended for two games as the tribunal jury found that he could have tackled Cousins instead of bumping.

The Hawk maintained bumping was his only option and that he has done nothing wrong.

“Yeah, I feel that,” he said.

“I’m very devastated; I’d love to be out there with the boys this weekend and the weekend after. I’m devastated really.”

If Hawthorn beat Essendon this week, they will play in an elimination final the following week without the reigning Coleman medallist.

Hawthorn is still considering their options and may appeal the verdict, saying they would seek clarification from AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson.

“It didn’t go our way so it’s a very disappointing result for us,” a Hawthorn spokesman said.

“I find it a little distressing that in summing up we can regard someone’s conduct as reasonable yet they still miss two matches.

“It’s very disappointing and we’ll be following that up with Adrian tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Thanks to Fox Sports for the above quotes.  For more information on this article visit their website.