Buddy plays his first game at the MCG playing against the brown and gold in what shapes as a crucial match for flag contenders Sydney and Hawthorn.
Most Hawks supporters are yet to forgive Franklin for heading north, and the superstar's scintillating form has only aggravated the ill feeling.
Often in 2014, the Hawthorn faithful have muttered that their team is a better unit without Franklin.
Early in the season, when Buddy was struggling with injury and fitness, kicking 14 goals in his first seven games for Sydney, that philosophy conveniently rang true for Hawks fans still grieving their hero's betrayal.
Since then, he's kicked 33 goals in eight matches, while the Swans have won 12 straight, surged to the top of the table and Franklin is now a Brownlow Medal contender and sitting in third place for the Coleman Medal.
Hawthorn and Sydney are on a collision course to meet again deep into September – in a game where a classic Franklin quarter might well stand between Hawthorn and back-to-back flags.
Hawks defender Shaun Burgoyne, a two-club player himself, delivered the sanitary line by saying he hoped Hawthorn fans would treat Franklin with respect.
"He's done a lot for our footy club over nine years," he said on Wednesday.
"I changed clubs as well so I know exactly what he's going through.
"We're expecting him to play well but when the siren sounds he will be just another player out there."
But Hawthorn fans know there's a gulf between Buddy's best and worst, especially in finals.
The MCG is where Franklin has done his best work, but come Saturday, the man himself will be nervous.
Nervous about facing his old mates, and nervous about the reception he'll get from an expected crowd of 70,000.
Forget polite respect.
Hawks fans should do all they can to get into Buddy's head, and make sure playing Hawthorn is not just another game for him.
Likely opponent Josh Gibson will be thankful.
Hawks fans booing former player Clinton Young (Source: Getty Images)