Davis stepped up in the absence of injured centre half back Nathan Bock last season, playing 15 games and will have an opportunity to make the position his own this year, after Bock's defection to Gold Coast.
The 20-year-old has already claimed a few scalps, including Geelong premiership forward Cam Mooney and Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich, but will face arguably his toughest challenge this weekend against an in-form Franklin.
Davis has never played against the Hawks or their Coleman medallist and said he had sought advice from teammates Ben Rutten and Scott Stevens as well as defensive coach Ben Hart, as to how to play against the damaging goalkicker.
"Franklin is a great forward, so is Jarryd Roughead and David Hale, if he plays… they [the Hawks] have got a lot of great players down there," Davis said on Thursday.
"It'll be a great opportunity for anyone who gets that role [on Franklin]. With the number of rotations how the backline works these days is that whoever comes into your area you'll take. If he [Franklin] comes into my area then I'll take him.
"It's a big test for our whole backline…but it's exciting because you want to play against the best."
First-round draft pick Brodie Smith is a chance to make his AFL debut after an impressive pre-season campaign.
Not since Bernie Vince in 2006 has a Crows draftee made his debut in round one in his first season at the club, but Davis said Smith was well placed to play against the Hawks.
"Brodie is super exciting. I really love the way he attacks the ball," he said.
"His contested ball is sensational, but on the outside he's also quick and breaks the lines. I think he really adds a lot to our game."
One of Smith's main opponents for a spot on the wing/half-back flank is ex-Richmond recruit Richard Tambling.
Tambling had a slow start to pre-season training because of post-season surgery, but impressed in the last two rounds of the NAB Challenge.
Davis said the selectors faced a tough decision, choosing between Smith, Tambling and dashing half-back Brodie Martin.
"Richard has been fantastic," Davis said.
"He's a great bloke and what he adds to our culture is sensational and also on the footy field. Everyone has seen his run and his carry, but I think his contested ball has been sensational over the four weeks of the NAB Cup."
The Crows will wear a commemorative jumper on Saturday night to recognise the players who lined up in the club's first-ever game against Hawthorn 20 years ago.
Phil Davis is a $211,000 defender in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
