With the 2025 season inching closer, the second edition of Zero Hanger's forward line rankings are here, with teams 12-7 revealed.
The clubs on this list sit in between the best and the worst, either missing the final piece to create a dynamic, high-scoring attack or, opposingly, have one or two star forwards carrying the forward line from second-rate to decent.
TEAMS 18-13: Every AFL team's forward line ranked: Part 1
Here is Part 2 of our forward line rankings...
6. (7th) Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs could be much higher on this list given the volume of talent in the forward line alone, but their goalkicking accuracy was detrimental in 2024 as they bowed out early in September.
In 2024 the Bulldogs had 11 games where they kicked more behinds than majors, including scorelines of 8.22 and 9.18. Had the Bulldogs kicked straighter in just a couple more games, they would've shot up from seventh to second, booking a double chance for the first time under Luke Beveridge's instruction.
There are countless positives to look at at Whitten Oval though. Sam Darcy was close to stealing the Rising Star award, had he not been suspended, kicking 38 goals at 21 years of age. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked 43.35, with his skill errors costing him a smokey effort for the Coleman.
Add in Aaron Naughton as another key target, as well as livewire Cody Weightman and the Bulldogs' forward line already shapes as extremely formidable.
They ranked second for points per game in 2024 too, but alas, they let themselves down on the big stage again.
As mentioned with the Crows, it's not always about the talent on paper that creates the best forward lines. The Bulldogs will have to get the right kicking boots on if they are to climb the forward rankings in 2025.
