Every AFL club's squad for the 2027 season is coming together, so how does each team's back, midfield and forward line stack up with their rivals?
We at Zero Hanger will be going through all 18 clubs, analysing and ranking them 1-18 across all three thirds of the ground. We started with the backline last week, and now it is time to rank the forwards.
While the draft, delisted free agent signing period and trial spots remain for clubs to recruit players, the majority of each team's starting 23 are in place.
Focusing on the players at their disposal, their style of football in 2026, and with a look forward to Round 1, 2027, this is how we ranked every club 1-18 for its attack.
Carlton
Forwards: Jesse Motlop, Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Joel Amartey, Harry McKay, Ben Ainsworth, Will Hayward, Jack Ison, Talor Byrne, Francis Evans, Ashton Moir, Matthew Cottrell
Across the final five rounds of the home-and-away season, Carlton averaged 114 points per game and kicked 154 and 119 points against the two Grand Finalists.
The Blues are a hard club to read, but all you have to know is they are on the rise and the recruitment of Joel Amartey will help strengthen the forward line.
Who will be omitted out of Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern - initial guess is on the latter - remains to be seen. But the Blues will likely have a forward six mix featuring talls Harry McKay, Amartey and Kemp/McGovern, mixed with smalls Will Hayward, Ben Ainsworth, Talor Byrne, Jesse Motlop and Francis Evans.
How much output the Blues can squeeze out of talented mid-sized forward pair Jack Ison and Ashton Moir will be an interesting watch in Josh Fraser's reign.
Carlton finished 12th in points for in 2026, but expect that Michael Voss-era distorted stat to increase next season.
