Franklin was in Sydney on Thursday to help announce the squad for the upcoming International Rules Series against Ireland, which will be made up entirely of indigenous players.
The 26-year-old will be part of the Hawks side that takes on the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on Friday night before the finals get underway and will then travel to Ireland with the indigenous squad for the October series.
Free agent Franklin's future beyond 2013 has been a huge story all year as he weighs up whether to remain at Hawthorn or accept a massive offer from Greater Western Sydney, reportedly in the region of $10-12 million.
He has said all year he will put off making a decision until season's end, but admits the Hawks are getting impatient.
"There has been a little bit of pressure and expectation from the football club in terms of a signing," he said.
"But for me I've always had that mindset I want to do it at the end of the season.
"With this Essendon stuff popping up a little bit it's been all on them pretty much, which is pretty sad.
"But I've been all right."
Asked if he would be visiting the Giants during his time in Sydney this week, Franklin joked: "Gee, I might catch up with (GWS senior assistant coach) Leon Cameron I reckon.
"No, we're here to play Sydney and get the win and play finals.
"I like Sydney. I obviously like Sydney a lot, but I enjoy myself in Melbourne and obviously love Hawthorn Football Club.
"As I've said from the start of the season I'll leave that for the end of the season and from there make my mind up on what I'm going to do.
"But at this stage it's Hawthorn where I want to be at."
Swans great Michael O'Loughlin, who will coach the indigenous side in the two-game series, announced the 33-man squad on Thursday from which his final side of 21 will be chosen from to tour Ireland.
It is stocked full of some of the best talent in the game, including Franklin, Adam Goodes, Paddy Ryder, Daniel Wells and Andrew Walker.
Goodes, who is currently sidelined by a knee injury, joked that he was intentionally resting so he could participate in the IRS.
But it is a serious matter for the dual Brownlow medallist, who will make the trip whether or not he can play and has been a driving force behind the concept, along with Franklin and Shaun Burgoyne.
The IRS has struggled in recent years, with a team of modest AFL talent well-beaten 2-0 in Australia in the last series back in 2011.
"That's what I'm resting up for now, to make sure I'm right for the International Series," Goodes told reporters at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney.
"To be able to represent our country and our people and our community, it's going to be an awesome experience for all the players that get to go.
"I don't know what's going to happen with the rest of the season, but I'm here today promoting the fact I'll definitely be going to Ireland, whether I'm playing or not.
"It's a concept that we have fought long and hard for this year and to have the backing of Mark Evans and (Andrew) Demetriou to represent everybody back here in Australia is a huge honour and we'll be going over there to win."
Franklin is also right behind the concept.
"It's unbelievable," he said. "It's been a long process in terms of getting this going, but it's been player-driven by me and Goodesy and Shaun Burgoyne's been a big part of it too.
"The AFL has really backed it too so we're just looking forward to getting over to Ireland."
Twitter: @AFL_JD
