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.
12Peter Wright
Main key forward: Nate Caddy
A key forward turned ruckman turned key forward again, Peter Wright's role this year has been anything but stable. His resilience in role change is crucial for Essendon playing many different roles for a woeful Bombers outfit. Wright has been solid averaging 13.0 disposals, 14.4 hit-outs and 1.1 goals per match, and should play the back end of 2026 as a key forward next to Nate Caddy.
