The Magpies entered the match lacking their usual height in defence with veteran fullback Jordan Roughead out with concussion and high-flying Jeremy Howe also sidelined.

Nathan Buckley said that the Magpies came into the game planning for Maynard to pick up Franklin at times.

"I'm not sure exactly the percentage of the game that Brayden would've found himself on 'Buddy', but it was definitely if Franklin worked up the field we thought that Brayden could be the player that could find himself in that match-up and that that would be effective for us," Buckley said.

"Brayden battled away really well, won his fair share of one-on-one contests when he found himself in those. I thought Brayden was excellent on the day."

Steele Sidebottom copped a nasty knock to the leg but Buckley said he didn’t expect the Magpie midfielder to miss any football because of it.

"He had a kick to the shin, which was on the top of a kick to the shin. It's just a contact injury," Buckley said.