IT IS no secret that Lance Franklin is hungry to become the first player in four years to kick a ton.

He's now six goals away from the magical figure, was nine away going into Sunday's clash with Richmond, and looked a chance to achieve the coveted milestone during that match when he kicked two majors in the opening term.

To make him even more determined to get the century up, Buddy's got Brendan Fevola breathing down his neck after the Carlton forward booted six goals against North Melbourne, leaving him with just 10 to go until he also reaches triple figures.

Both teams will say they've relegated the thought of seeing their respective stars reach the individual milestone to the backs of their minds, and are more focused on winning games.  

But, of course both Hawthorn and Carlton want to see their players kick a ton. Why wouldn't they, when it was previously believed the role of the key forward had been completely rewritten owing to the changing nature of the game?

For the Hawks, it's becoming a race against time when it comes to Buddy. The talented showman will notch up a century, either this weekend or next.

But, based on elements of Sunday's loss to Richmond, it's appearing as though the sooner Buddy gets there, the better.  

Alastair Clarkson denies the players look only for Buddy when they go forward, but the players themselves disagree. And, why would you when you've got a burly and athletic superstar whose hands are surer than taxes, barrelling at you, calling for the ball?

The danger for the Hawks right now, as was proved against the Tigers, is that the team is simply playing a little too 'Buddy-centric' with the current focus to get the goalkicker his ton.

In the first half the Hawks often passed up better opportunities in favour of the big forward. Buddy himself did what he has often done this season, and fired off a range of shots on goal – some realistic, some not so much.

Considering the 21-year-old has a shocking recent record against Richmond – he's kicked 5.11 in the previous two games against them – while Jarryd Roughead has booted 10.4, it was hard to understand Hawthorn’s insistence of going to Buddy time-in, time-out.

Even Terry Wallace couldn't comprehend it and said he felt the Hawks put "a lot of eggs" in the Buddy basket when he was clearly having an inaccurate day and was at times double and triple teamed.  

A stand out example came in the third term when Chance Bateman was pushing into attack and Brent Guerra was bouncing up and down in the pocket, totally unopposed.

Instead of taking the option and delivering to Guerra then and there, Bateman hesitated and waited for Buddy to shrug his opponent and present. It didn't happen, play on was called, and Bateman was forced to kick to Guerra in a contest, which the Hawk lost.

It was just a small indication the Hawks, unsurprisingly, want their superstar to be the next centurion of the competition. And fair enough too – but at what cost, with two rounds remaining?

At a time of the year where winning momentum is crucial, any side, let alone Hawthorn, can't afford to be chasing an individual goal.

Coaches regularly say they don't want to "flirt" with their form heading into September. Losses hurt confidence, they dent self-belief, and they give rival teams a boost in emphasising vulnerabilities.

The Hawks are safe in the top three, and know they're playing the out-of-form Western Bulldogs – who are a strong example of how a string of negative performances can snowball – in the first week of the finals.

With a road trip to Subiaco this week to meet the unpredictable West Coast, followed by a round 22 clash with Carlton in which the race to 100 as well as the Coleman Medal may be determined, the Hawks won't coast into September.

They'll be hoping Buddy kicks his ton this weekend. Then it's over, done, the crowd has invaded the pitch, and normality can be restored.

Otherwise, who knows how much the side could stumble if it continues to ignore the better team option in favour of the Buddy one?