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 in 2017 displayed - 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. This final part will reveal who has the best forward line in the competition, with the final six teams ranked.
Every AFL club’s forward line ranked: Part I
Every AFL club’s forward line ranked: Part II
6. West Coast
Although it may not seem like it at all now, the Eagles – when fully fit – have one of the most impressive forward lines in the competition.
Two-time Coleman medallist Josh J. Kennedy is the spearhead of Adam Simpson’s attacking force and can still do damage on his day despite being in the final years of his career.
Jack Darling, if he elects to continue playing football, is a deadly understudy to Kennedy and an asset to the function of the West Coast attack.
Liam Ryan is the most exciting player of the Eagles forward brigade, with his incredible ability overhead coupled with a razor-sharp goal sense making him one of the competition’s most prolific small forwards.
The injured Jamie Cripps is a reliable option to play off the half-forward flank, whilst big man Oscar Allen is set to continue his career by being handed the key forward responsibility by Kennedy at some point down the track.
Willie Rioli has taken his place down in the forward line after being out of the footballing world for several years, leaving the likes of Zac Langdon, Jack Petruccelle, Jake Waterman and Jamaine Jones to try their hand at entering the side’s best 22.
