The forward line is the glamour position in Australian football, home to the game's most famous and loved players.

The front six often grab the headlines with match-winning hauls and highlight-reel moments, providing the finishing touch that turns dominance into scoreboard pressure.

Forward groups signify a club's attacking identity, with elite sides boasting multifaceted attacks and rebuilding teams typically lacking the firepower to convert inside 50s effectively.

So, who claims the crown as the best attack in the AFL for 2025? Here's Zero Hanger's ranking, from 18th to first.

READ: EVERY AFL TEAM'S BACKLINE RANKED 1-18
READ: EVERY AFL TEAM'S MIDFIELD RANKED 1-18

16Essendon

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Nate Caddy of the Bombers is congratulated by Isaac Kako of the Bombers after kicking a goal during the 2025 AAMI AFL Community Series match between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers at GMHBA Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Nate Caddy of the Bombers is congratulated by Isaac Kako of the Bombers after kicking a goal during the 2025 AAMI AFL Community Series match between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers at GMHBA Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Bombers' injury-decimated 2025 season saw their forward line hit significantly, relying on 32 different goal scorers throughout the year, two fewer than the league-leading Blues (34).

However, despite the range of scoring options Essendon were forced to rely on, they were unable to consistently produce or create opportunities in front of goal, scoring an average of 66.7 points per game.

The Bombers will be hoping emerging key forward talent Nate Caddy can improve his accuracy drastically in 2026, as well as his strength in one-on-one contests, as he presents as the ultimate way forward for this group given his athletic potential that must be maximised inside forward 50.

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