Lance Franklin didn’t want to rain on Hawthorn’s AFL premiership party on Sunday by spelling it out, but it appears inevitable he’s leaving.

As with Gary Ablett’s 2010 move from Geelong to Gold Coast, an AFL heavyweight club at the height of its power is set to lose its biggest star to a cashed-up expansion club.

Franklin, looking weary after a big night of celebrating with his premiership teammates, was flanked by TV cameras and reporters as he boarded the team bus after Sunday’s family day at Glenferrie Oval.

“Monday or Tuesday,” he said to reporters, when questioned on whether he was set to join wooden spooners Greater Western Sydney on a big-money long-term deal, adding: “I’m with my boys baby.”

Earlier, after the team was briefly presented to a crowd of more than 22,000, Franklin lingered on stage, clapping his hands above his head in what seemed a pointed farewell gesture.

Tuesday appears the more likely day for Franklin to announce his decision, given the Hawks’ public celebrations will continue on Monday in Tasmania.

The entire premiership team will be presented on stage at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium, along with appearances by club representatives in Hobart and Devonport.

Hawks legend Leigh Matthews is confident the AFL premiers can thrive without their two-time Coleman Medallist and two-time premiership player.

“They’ve played very well when he hasn’t played … that’s the great thing,” Matthews said on Channel Seven’s Game Day.

“Clearly they want to keep him.

“But Jobe Watson would be a greater loss for Essendon, for instance.

“(Joel) Selwood would probably be a greater loss for Geelong.

“They don’t look like they’re as dependent on a Franklin as maybe there were a few years ago.”

Franklin’s expected departure will also free up substantial salary cap room for the Hawks to continue their recent pattern of smart recruiting from their rivals.

The Hawks demonstrated their lack of dependence on Franklin during this year’s finals.

He missed their first final through suspension and kicked just a goal per game in the preliminary and grand finals.

Six other Hawks kicked more goals during the finals, most notably 21-year-old Jack Gunston, the clear leader with 11 majors, including a match-winning four-goal grand final haul.

Not that Gunston was keen to farewell his attacking colleague.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him over my two years here and I love playing every game with him and we work in really well as a forward line,” he said.

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold wants dual AFL premiership coach Alastair Clarkson in charge beyond his current contract.

The Hawks boss today repeated his statement that he regards Clarkson as the AFL’s best coach.

Clarkson, who also led the Hawks to their 2008 triumph, is already locked in for next season. Hawthorn will continue their AFL premiership celebrations in Tasmania on Monday.

The Hawks, who beat Fremantle by 15 points in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG, host four games per season in Launceston.

The entire premiership team, along with coach Alastair Clarkson, president Andrew Newbold and chief executive Stuart Fox, will be presented on stage at Launceston’s AFL venue Aurora Stadium.

Premiership captain Luke Hodge and several of his teammates, as well as Clarkson, Newbold and Fox, will also make an appearance in Hobart.

Devonport product Grant Birchall will be one of a few Hawks players being presented as part of a separate function in his home city.

It will be a second day of public celebrations for Hawthorn, after the team fronted thousands of fans at a family day on Sunday in Melbourne.

Coach Clarkson, who said his team had wanted to atone for last year’s upset grand final loss to Sydney, said they were likely to spend the next fortnight soaking up what they had achieved.

Hodge, who was also part of the club’s 2008 premiership, said he and his teammates had worked hard since last year’s defeat.

“It’s been a long 12 months. We put in some hard yards early and there’s no better feeling than to play (on Saturday) with a great victory in front of such a great, great fan base,” Hodge said.