GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND - AUGUST 06: Tom Lynch of the suns celebrates a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Grater Western Sydney Giants at Metricon Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Former Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown has ranked his top 10 forwards in the game heading into the 2017 season, with two young stars of the competition missing out.

Brown couldn't find any room for Collingwood's Darcy Moore or Melbourne's Jesse Hogan, and instead went with players who've proved themselves at the top level for some years.

He did make an exception for Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch, as the 24-year-old topped Brown's list ahead of Lance Franklin and Josh J. Kennedy.

“Tom Lynch’s all-round numbers are similar to Carey. They are Carey-like,” Brown told Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday.

“He sets up goals, is a good goalkicker and is the best contested mark in the competition. What more can I say?”

Brown also handed the title of best small forward in the game to Adelaide's Eddie Betts, after he edged out four-time Hawthorn premiership player Cyril Rioli.

Jonathan Brown's top 10 forwards entering 2017 

1. Tom Lynch (Gold Coast Suns)

2. Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans)

3. Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles)

4. Eddie Betts (Adelaide)

5. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)

6. Taylor Walker (Adelaide)

7. Toby Greene (GWS Giants)

8. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)

9. Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

10. Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)