Franklin has struggled with his conversion rate in the opening nine rounds of the season, managing 57 shots on goal for a return of 21.36 - a conversion rate of just 34 per cent.
Clarkson says though, that Franklin’s ability to involve himself in the contest while bringing other players into the game is a valuable asset.
“If you look a little bit deeper in the stats, he’s the number one scoring assist player in the competition,” Clarkson said at Melbourne Airport on Friday.
“He’s still actually playing some pretty good footy, and if he converted those chances a little bit better, then many would be arguing that he’s having perhaps his best season of AFL footy.
Despite his inaccuracy in front of goal, Clarkson backed his star full forward to turn his form in front of goal around.
Adding to that belief is the confidence Franklin’s teammates have in his ability to impact a game.
“He’s not at the moment (converting his chances), but I still feel like it’s only a quarter away or a game away from him just tearing a game apart,” he said.
“Whilst I’ve got that (confidence), our players have and he has himself - I’m sure it’s going to turn around for him pretty quickly in terms of being able to hit the scoreboard.
Despite his conversion rate, Franklin is averaging 19 disposals per game, up from 18 last season.
It is something Clarkson says illustrates his ability to be a valuable contributor, despite not hitting the scoreboard as effectively as he has in the past.
“It’s not like he’s playing terrible footy for us, he’s still helping us enormously - it’s just not as polished as it could be,” Clarkson said.
“He’s not at the moment (converting his chances), but I still feel like it’s only a quarter away or a game away from him just tearing a game apart.
“We’re always searching for utopia as a football side, and when Buddy is kicking at a conversion rate of somewhere near 60 or 70 per cent, we know we’re going to be a pretty formidable side.”
The Hawks take on the Kangaroos at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, putting aside their disappointing result against the Tigers last weekend.
In doing that, Clarkson has made just one change to the side that was defeated by 62 points, with defender Stephen Gilham the only omission.
Clarkson says that not swinging the axe shows he has faith in his playing group and their ability to bounce back.
“We had a dreadful day, but we have to move on,” he said.
“The best thing to do is try and give the players the opportunity to try and respond the next week, and that’s what we get this week against the Kangaroos.
“Hopefully the pride of the players, and being disappointed will hopefully mean that they’re going to put a better foot forward tomorrow.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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Listen to this week's Hawks-Cast as Lehmo and Dec preview the game and are joined by Club Legend Leigh Matthews and defender Ben Stratton.
