The Pies endured sometimes unsavoury discussions with star forward Travis Cloke and his management throughout last year which was eventually settled after the 2012 finals series.
Franklin, 26 next week, is likely to be the AFL’s biggest contract negotiation outcome this season, probably rivalled only by negotiations at Carlton with dual Brownlow medallist and undisputed champion Chris Judd.
Judd, 29, is in the final season of a six-year deal after he left West Coast to complete his career in his home town of Melbourne.
Whether the on-ball sensation extends into a new contract appears set to emerge as another significant development in AFL circles as the Blues settle into a new era in premiership ambitions under revered coach Mick Malthouse who takes over on a three-year commitment to rejuvenate one of the league’s biggest and most traditional brands.
Among other big stars expected to negotiate new contracts at stages of the 2013 season are Essendon captain and reigning Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson, new Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin and highly decorated Geelong key defender Harry Taylor.
It is understood that Hawks authorities have already endeavoured to establish preliminary talks with Franklin’s management in a bid to launch negotiations and prevent any prolonged outcome.
It is unclear on early outcome in those attempts and whether the dual Coleman medallist, 2008 Hawks premiership hero and the most influential player in the AFL wants a settlement.
Franklin and his high profile manager Liam Pickering are expected to command in the region of $1million a season.
Pickering has remained adamant in his public comments on Melbourne radio over the summer months that Franklin is "more than likely" staying at Hawthorn.
Delicate negotiations are expected to centre around whether the powerhouse scoring force places highest priority on his annual salary package, the length of his deal or whether Franklin wants continued success with the powerful Hawks.
Industry insiders expect Franklin to ultimately elect to stay with the Hawks where the match-winning left-footer launched his career back in 2005 after he was fifth player picked at the 2004 national draft.
He will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season if Franklin remains uncontracted in October and the longer the powerful scoring force is on the market Franklin would command significantly lucrative offers from across the competition.
His price demands may preclude Franklin’s home state franchises West Coast and Fremantle from entering the race to win his services, but Melbourne-based power clubs within reach of a premiership could be tempted to enter bidding for the game’s biggest star.
Fremantle did though make brave attempts to lure a key and match-winning forward over the past two years with multi-million dollar deals thrown at Cloke last season at big Mitch Clark at the end of 2011 when he left Brisbane.
Clark, 25, eventually headed to Melbourne on a hefty deal when Fremantle missed out at the 11th hour in frantic trade negotiations.