Richmond were the trendsetters in 2017 with a host of small forwards that dominated the big stage, but Brisbane has well and truly taken over.
The Lions capitalised on the current football trend that is coursing through the AFL landscape - being the desperate need to have a powerful and skilful group of fleet-of-foot players.
Zac Bailey. Charlie Cameron. Kai Lohmann. The trio combined for 19 scores and nine goals, with Bailey's inaccuracy likely costing him the Norm Smith Medal.
Even Geelong's Oliver Dempsey slotted four majors in a losing side.
It left tall options Logan Morris, Ty Gallop and Oscar McInerney as the sideshow options, contributing seven points.
Morris and Gallop have a tally of 51 games, while McInerney is a ruckman.
Cats talls Shannon Neale, Mark Blicavs, Rhys Stanley and Jeremy Cameron were rendered useless, albeit the latter was hindered by a broken arm.
The 2025 Grand Final was won by the smalls, as it has been throughout history.
Brisbane's dominant front-half game is the by-product of the Tigers' innovation under Damien Hardwick, and has lasted for the better part of the decade.
Zac Bailey soccers through the first of the second half ⚽️#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/2lqmltIar5
— AFL (@AFL) September 27, 2025
Geelong were successful (2022) in their own iteration of small forwards that caused controlled chaos among focal points Tom Hawkins and Cameron.
Collingwood defeated the Lions in 2023, and Bobby Hill (four goals and the Norm Smith Medal) led an inspired forward group littered with smalls.
Even last year, Lohmann and Callum Ah Chee exploited Sydney's leaky defence, adding eight goals in the heavy victory.
But the dominance of small forward groups in grand finals and September proves the direction the game is heading.
It is rare to see a key forward kick more than three goals in a decider.
Charlie Cameron, WOW 😲@Coles | #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/sFfYBb6vLM
— AFL (@AFL) September 27, 2025
The enormity of the day, plus the pressure applied, generally sees the football remain at ground level more often than not, helping inject the excitement and brilliance of the small forward.
Jack Riewoldt in 2019 and Jarryd Roughead in 2014 slotted five goals, while medium-sized forwards Bayley Fritsch (six goals) and Jack Gunston twice (four) found the big sticks.
But never once has a key forward won the Norm Smith Medal, which dates back to 1979. A case can be made for Essendon's Simon Madden (1985), who was a dual position player, featuring in the ruck and the forward line.
And the Lions have cashed in on their smart drafting and game plan, which has proven to stand up in September.
