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.
St Kilda
Forwards: Max King, Cooper Sharman, Mitch Owens, Jake Stringer, Jack Higgins, Lance Collard, Dan Butler, Liam Henry, Liam Ryan, Campbell Lake, Anthony Caminiti, Mattaes Phillipou
The Saints are a team who have the assets to have a higher-ranked forward line, but not the game plan nor the luck with injury to do so.
Max King has all the markings of an A-grade key forward who would have been pushing for All-Australian blazers and Coleman Medals if not for his poor run with injuries.
St Kilda has secured the shrewd signing of Jake Stringer, which is a great deal. It is guaranteed goals from a guy who seems to have matured enough not to be a problem off the field or in the dressing room anymore.
Liam Ryan is a gun, while Jack Higgins is the definition of a goal sneak.
The key forward role assigned to Mitch Owens should be changed as it does not seem to work with his attributes; instead, make him a third tall. Albeit he has had to carry the weight of that role while being undersized, along with Cooper Sharman, given King's ongoing injuries.
St Kilda did open up its play in 2026 and kicked greater scores than previously, finishing ninth in points for after sitting 12th and 15th in the previous two years, but it still felt so boring and restricted.
Ross Lyon won't ever be a free-flowing, all-out attack-style coach, but he needs to release his grip more on ball movement next season to unlock this side's firepower. Hopefully with the help of a fully fit King.
