The much-loved clubman brought up the century with a six on Saturday, his innings helping the Blues post 8-228 on day one of the two-day clash at the Greta Sporting Complex.

Blues skipper Justin Triffitt said it was just reward for Franklin, who spent the English summer with Alford, where he was named the club’s player of the year.

“He got them pretty quick,” Triffitt said.

“He played some bloody good shots.

“He brought up the ton with a six over the long boundary.

“It’s been a long time coming.

“He’s bloody worked hard at his game over the last few years.

“He puts in as much work as anyone.”

Franklin was dropped approaching a half-century and made the Magpies pay.

Triffitt said it was the best he had seen the 28-year-old bat.

“It was the cleanest I’ve ever seen him hit the ball,” he said.

“He played a smart innings as well.

“He usually has a brain fade about the 20 or 30-mark and gets himself out.”

Franklin was not the only Blue to shine, with Chris O’Connor scoring a half-century.

Triffitt said the bottom-placed Blues, who are out of finals contention, would have to bowl well to win the match.

“It’s nice to have a reasonable score to defend,” he said.

“The deck’s in reasonable nick so it’s probably a par score.

“We are going to have to bowl well to win.”

At Whorouly, the match between the Maroons and Yarrawonga-Mulwala is delicately poised with the home side at 1-29 chasing 224 for victory.

Lakers skipper Lee Fraser, who is averaging almost 60 this season, made 55 to anchor the Yarrawonga-Mulwala innings.

Corowa is primed to beat Rovers United after posting 8-262.

Skipper Jarred Lane made 62 and Damien Wilson 60 as the Roos posted their highest score of the season.

At the Bill O’Callaghan Oval yesterday, Bruck defeated City Colts by 11 runs in the only Saturday-Sunday clash this round.