King Kong Buddy destroys Tigers and levels Cousins as Hawks stay alive

HAWTHORN star Lance ''Buddy'' Franklin kicked five goals and knocked out Richmond's Ben Cousins in a 42-point win for the Hawks at the MCG last night.

The 20.15 (135) to 14.9 (93) win kept the defending premiers' slim finals hopes alive with one round left.

Franklin's third-term collision with Ben Cousins will come under video review, but it looked like a legitimate bump that caught the disgraced former Brownlow Medallist high.

The clash between two of the league's biggest names forced Cousins from the field for the rest of the match.

Franklin had an eventful night.

He also kicked six behinds and twice pushed away opponents with brute strength before kicking at goal.

Richmond utility Graham Polak and Hawks ruckman Max Bailey completed gutsy comebacks from injury.

Polak suffered brain damage when hit by a tram last year and Bailey has overcome two knee reconstructions.

Hawthorn were leading by 16 points after 21 minutes of the third quarter when Cousins gained possession.

As he tried to baulk and clear the ball out of defence, Franklin collected him solidly with his upper arm and sent him flying to the ground.

The collision knocked the ball clear and Beau Dowler snapped his third goal.

Moments later, Franklin's opponent Luke McGuane hit Michael Osborne with a short jab to the stomach, right in front of an umpire.

Osborne was paid a free kick without the ball being returned to the centre and he scored to give the Hawks a two-goal play and put them 28 points ahead.

It took two Richmond officials several minutes to convince Cousins to leave the field, as he was in a dazed state.

Earlier in the third term, Hawks youngster Josh Kennedy again showed he needs to be more selfish in front of goals.

Kennedy was undecided, well within range, and tried desperately to pass the ball to Franklin before the Tigers defenders pounced and he was caught holding the ball.

It was a similar scenario to what happened late in Hawthorn's one-point loss to Geelong in round 17.

The Hawks led by 38 points early in the final term, before the Tigers fought back to reduce the margin to 19 points.

Hawthorn then brushed aside the late challenge to win comfortably.

Richmond played much better than their woeful losses in the last fortnight to Sydney and Collingwood.

But Hawthorn had too much class, with Brad Sewell outstanding through the midfield and Luke Hodge marking his 150th game with a solid performance for the Hawks.

Midfielder Brett Deledio was clearly Richmond's best and kicked two goals.