Each Batman needs a Robin.
Every Lance Franklin needs his Jarryd Roughead and every Josh J. Kennedy needs his Jack Darling, so who are the best Robins in the AFL today?
The star key forward is one of the most important players on the field for every AFL team. They demand the most attention and can completely turn a game on its head. Their gravity creates opportunity for their key forward counterparts to stand up and deliver out of the spotlight.
The secondary key forward is an unheralded role, and when at their best, can lift teams from a great offensive team to an outright powerhouse. Having an elite complementary forward can produce a formidable pairing with defences forced to divide their attention between both key forwards.
Possessing multiple elite avenues to goal creates an imposing forward line and is why many of the best teams in the competition have a dynamic secondary key forward so we've ranked them from most to least impactful to highlight some of the dominant seasons from supporting keys and some of the underwhelming seasons in 2026.
7Jake Stringer
Main key forward: Aaron Cadman
‘Contract year' Jake Stringer continues to impress playing some of his best football in recent memory for the Giants this year. Stringer is the only player of the GWS key forward stocks to play over ten games in 2026, providing much needed security in a struggling outfit.
Stringer has kicked 28 goals this year while taking 2.1 marks inside 50. His veteran presence in the forward is integral for GWS conducting the forward line and using his football IQ to make the right plays.
