SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Brody Mihocek of the Magpies kicks during the round 6 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Hawthorn Hawks at GIANTS Stadium on July 10, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Forwards are usually the players that get fans through the turnstiles, with their incredible eye for goal and licence to thrill making them one of the most valuable parts of any side.
The other departments of the ground can work their collective backsides off to get the ball to a scoring position, but if a team doesn't possess the personnel to hit the scoreboard, then all their efforts will be in vain.
A good forward line doesn't necessarily need to be stacked with key forwards - as Richmond displayed in 2017 - with the right game style suiting smalls who feed off packs to kick crafty majors and perform the heavy lifting of a tall.
With under a month left until the first round of the 2022 season kicks off, it's time to reflect on which forward lines are ranked.
The Roos have an interesting attacking force, with a balance of tall timber and nimble smalls which complement each other nicely.
The likes of Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar are the main two targets that midfielders tried to pick out when lowering the eyes, however this year former Tiger Callum Coleman-Jones will be added to the mix to provide another big option inside 50.
Jaidyn Stephenson proved last season that he was a valuable asset for David Noble in attack, booting 17 goals in his first year at Arden Street. Tarryn Thomas too was handy for the Roos throughout his 21 games for the side, kicking 24 goals and coming up big in a couple of encounters. Youngster Curtis Taylor will look to have another season of improvement again in 2022, likely rotating between midfield and the forward line depending on the situation.
However, the main attraction for 2022 is Pick 1 at last year's draft Jason Horne-Francis, with the mid-forward hybrid set to light up the AFL with his freakish abilities. The enigmatic talent is set to play a key role in the Roos set-up and will only serve to elevate his side to another level as his career progresses.
Adelaide's offence is one made up of primarily small forwards with coach Matthew Nicks electing to go with young, speedy attackers capable of turning the game through their trickery.
However, with big man Taylor Walker out for the first month of footy, it remains to be seen if the side is able to pick up the slack without him.
'Tex' was the main outlet for the Crows last year with 48 goals from 21 games, whilst deputy Darcy Fogarty had a decent campaign despite not being able to hit the scoreboard as much as his counterpart.
Shane McAdam, James Rowe, Sam Berry and Ned McHenry are the smalls who often do the hard yards for the Crows, as well as half-forward Lachlan Murphy.
2020 draft product Riley Thilthorpe rotated between ruck duties and the forward line last year, booting 18 goals from 14 games in a stop-start first year for the 19-year-old.
The Crows have the likes of Elliott Himmelberg and Billy Frampton still to prove their worth for the side, with the former of the two having a disappointing campaign considering the potential he showed towards the backend of 2020.
The Pies have been crying out for a true key forward for what has felt like an age, however, the club still has not addressed the issue off the back of their salary cap dilemma in 2020.
Craig McRae has his work cut out for him in 2022, with Brody Mihocek being the tip of the spear for the Pies as of recent after a 34-goal showing last season.
Jordan De Goey and Jamie Elliott are the two enigmas in this setup, with the former returning from exile to try and get his career back on track.
Darcy Cameron will aim to try and help Mihocek with the key forward duties in 2022, whilst new blood Beau McCreery is sure to carry his good form into this year. Tall Mason Cox seems to be on the outer at the Holden Centre but can stand in should any player drop out through injury.
Josh Daicos and younger brother Nick will likely be shifted forward on occasions this year with the latter set to be a huge addition to the Pies' mid-forward stocks.
The Hawks wield a work in progress attacking unit, however have some bright sparks in their ranks to change the game.
The returning Jack Gunston and fellow premiership teammate Luke Breust still remain the main men in Sam Mitchell's forward line, with Jacob Koschitzke and Mitch Lewis being the two up-and-comers who could develop into big stars should they hold their trajectory.
Emerson Jeka is another tall option who should develop nicely in 2022 if he get ample game-time, while mid-forward Harry Morrison also provides Sam Mitchell with some nice backup should any of his first choice forwards succumb to injury.
Smaller options in Chad Wingard and youngster Dylan Moore also facilitate the side's attack with their ability to crumb off the contest, as will Tyler Brockman who impressed immensely last year.
The Suns, on paper, have a nice attacking force, however have shown the true potential of such on too few an occasion.
Spearhead Ben King had a stellar 2021, however now faces a season on the sidelines off the back of his ACL injury, with new arrival Mabior Chol set to find a place in the forward line in his absence.
Josh Corbett should likely get an extended run in the Suns side this year after a good campaign last year, as could former Blues big man Levi Casboult should he keep fit for extended stints.
The excitement machine in Izak Rankine will be looking to improve on what was a tad quieter 2021, whilst fellow small Ben Ainsworth is looking like a lock to start the year at half-forward.
Veteran David Swallow usually takes up an attacking midfield role however drifts forward whenever he can, with the likes of Sam Flanders and Nick Holman also set to do battle for game-time across the course of the year.
For all the Dockers' solidity across the ground, the side is still very lopsided when it comes to their attacking output.
Although the capture of one of the drafts best key forwards in the form of Jye Amiss is a huge get for the side, Matt Taberner will start Round 1 as the side's main attacking threat.
Lachie Schultz is a solid runner-up to Taberner in the attacking influence department, whilst big man Rory Lobb's rotation between ruck and forward duties only serve to help Justin Longmuir's side.
Second-year player Josh Treacy should be aiming to nail down a spot in the forward line following his 15 games in 2021, as will veterans Michael Walters and Travis Colyer with the former of the two coming into the twilight years of his career.
Sam Switkowski and David Mundy provide plenty of run off half-forward and should start Round 1, with youngsters such as the aforementioned Amiss, Minairo Frederick, Bailey Banfield and Sam Sturt set to try and break into the side across the course of the season.