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.
3Darcy Fogarty
Main key forward: Riley Thilthorpe
The Adelaide spearhead hasn't delivered for the Crows like he has in years past, but Darcy Fogarty's presence is still felt as one of the best supporting keys in the league. His size and strength allow him to overpower his opponent, playing predominantly as the teams deepest forward and averaging the equal-most goals on the team.
Fogarty's five-goal haul against Port Adelaide in Round 16 shows the type of production he can have when healthy. As the Crows push for contention, Fogarty's importance to the forward line will only become greater.
