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.
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.
Port’s forward-line is almost a perfect split of youthful exuberance and experience, with youngsters not being short on tutelage from the side’s established attackers.
The main man down forward is big Charlie Dixon, who has been in top form for the Power over the last couple of seasons, booting 72 goals since the start of 2020.
Robbie Gray is the man for the big occasions at Alberton, popping up when it matters to boot crucial goals from his native forward pocket role, with his pocket partner Orazio Fantasia having a brilliant first season at his new club in 2021, booting 28 goals from 15 games.
Connor Rozee and Zak Butters love to play around the 50-metre arc, with their goal sense only going to get better as their careers wear on and they rack up game time.
One of the Power’s most promising stars is Mitch Georgiades, who booted 32 goals in 21 games throughout 2021 and established himself as one of the best forward prospects in the league with his great leaping ability and accuracy in front of goal.
In terms of understudies, Todd Marshall and trade period arrival Jeremy Finlayson will be battling for a spot in the team come Round 1, however may very well get their wish should injuries keep mounting for the Power.
Sam Powell-Pepper is able to drift forward if need be, with Steven Motlop struggling to find a place in the best 22 should everyone be fit and healthy.
Lifted by a mesmerising crop of youngsters, the Sydney attacking brigade now poses a stern test to contain.
Lance Franklin is the first name on the magnet board when fit, with the legendary forward only five majors away from entering rare air in the form of the 1000-goal club.
Tom Papley has cemented himself as one of the game’s best small forwards, with the goalsneak booting an impressive 43 goals in 23 games for John Longmire’s side in 2021 and more often than not being too hot to handle for the opposition defence.
Although struggling for fitness at times throughout his career, Isaac Heeney had his most successful season to date last year, booting 36 goals from 21 games, however all signs are pointing towards 2022 being the campaign where he moves into his new home in Sydney’s engine room.
Logan McDonald impressed greatly in the small time he had in 2021, tying down a spot in the side’s best 22, whilst 23-year-old Will Hayward also had a brilliant campaign equalling his best output of 28 goals from 19 games.
Peter Ladhams is a new arrival from Port Adelaide and will be able to chip in with attacking duties if need be, whilst youngsters Errol Gulden, Sam Wicks, Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey can also add another string to the Swans’ attacking bow in their respective ways.
The reigning premiers struggled to get their forward-line to work for years prior to 2021, however their attack now is one of the scariest in the league as the Doggies found out the hard way in the second half of the grand final.
Bayley Fritsch was Simon Goodwin’s most deadly weapon in 2021, booting 59 goals from 24 matches played, including a grand final haul of seven as his side broke their 54-year premiership drought.
Exciting youngster Kysaiah Pickett was one of the breakout stars of the year amongst so many for the Demons, managing 40 goals from 25 appearances to entrench himself in the heart of the Melbourne forward-line.
The prodigious Luke Jackson performed his ruck-forward role to perfection to guide his side to the flag last year, proving to the footballing world that the Dees boast some of the, if not the best talent in the game as of current.
Tom McDonald and Ben Brown are very worthy partners to Fritsch, combining for 58 goals in 2021, whilst the experienced Alex Neal-Bullen proved his worth to the team and is expected to keep his spot across half-forward going into 2022.
Both Tom Sparrow and Charlie Spargo should rotate at times in the mid-forward role, whilst outcast tall Sam Weideman will be itching to get a spot in the side after only managing five games last year.
Youngsters in Blake Howes and Jacob Van Rooyen could each possibly find some game time this year should they play their cards right, however will have to fight tooth and nail to get their start in the footballing world with the form the Dees finished the year in.
The Doggies narrowly miss out on the top spot on this list, with their forward-line having some huge names in it that will only get better and better as time wears on.
Josh Bruce kicked into life and may very well have won the Coleman if he didn’t do his ACL in Round 21, establishing himself as the talisman of the Doggies forward-line in his second year at The Kennel.
Meanwhile youngster Aaron Naughton had his best year so far and almost finished top of the club’s goalscoring charts with 47 majors for the whole season, with the 22-year-old set to only get better in 2022.
Cody Weightman, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Flea’, was a huge addition to the Dogs’ system last year, consistently harassing opposition defences and taking high-flying grabs to cement his spot in attacking 50.
This year surely is time for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to make his mark on the Doggies side, with the 2020 Pick 1 surely picking up the mantle for the injured Bruce until his return and hopefully fulfilling his undoubted potential.
Father-son prodigy Sam Darcy will have to wait to make his debut, with the 18-year-old having injuring his foot, however has the potential to venture down forward when needed with his massive frame being an asset to Luke Beveridge.
Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter usually slot in somewhere between wing and half-forward and can hit the scoreboard when required, with their movement and goal sense causing many defenders nightmares.
In terms of understudies, Jason Johannisen, Laitham Vandermeer, Josh Schache, Ed Richards and Anthony Scott can fill in where needed, whilst ruckman Tim English can have an effect down in attack with his towering height.
The Lions attack is the most potent in the league going off of last year’s stats, with Chris Fagan’s side averaging the most goals per game out of the entire competition, with four stars managing to boot over 30 goals for the year.
Charlie Cameron proved once again he is the best small forward in the game at the minute, kicking a whopping 55 goals from 24 games in 2021. The 27-year-old has slotted double the majors in Brisbane than he did in the same amount of time when he was at the Crows, symbolising how much he has come alive since being back in his home state.
2021 recruit Joe Daniher had one of his best seasons to date after moving from the Bombers, booting 46 goals for the year and not once failing to register a major in a single home and away match. There is no doubt that if he can stay fit and healthy this year, then the 27-year-old will be in with a great shout in the Coleman Medal race.
Lincoln McCarthy and Zac Bailey both had career-best years as well, with their roles across half-forward proving fruitful as they finished third and fourth respectively on the club’s goalkicking leader board. The latter of the pair is looking like he will be thrown into midfield in 2022 by Chris Fagan, with fans having plenty to be excited about with the youngster promising so much.
The remaining spot in the forward 50 is usually filled by Cam Rayner however, Keidean Coleman has been the man plying his trade down forward with the 21-year-old still finding his feet at AFL level.
With Nakia Cockatoo, Jarrod Berry and Deven Robertson waiting in the wings, it could be a bit of a scrap in 2022 for those wishing to make it stick in the Lions forward-line, with the attacking force of 2021 a tough act to improve upon.
