The showstoppers. The goal scorers. And sometimes, the freaks. The forwards of the AFL have an uncanny ability to drop the jaws of those watching, whether it's high-flying marks and hard-to-believe goals. Yet, the majority believe it's easier than it looks.
Forwards get recognised through the Coleman Medal, rewarding the player for kicking the most goals in the home and away season, while they normally feature heavily in the running for either goal or mark of the year.
So, who were the 10 best forwards in the 2025 AFL season?
Before we delve into the top 10, here is a group of players unlucky not to be rewarded with a spot on the list.
Unlucky to miss:
Logan Morris - 53 goals, 125 score involvements, 16 goal assists
Jack Higgins - 46 goals, 118 score involvements, 14 goal assists
Ben Long - 45 goals, 143 score involvements, 16 goal assists
Zac Bailey - 42 goals, 177 score involvements, 16 goal assists
Rhylee West - 39 goals, 144 score involvements, 23 goal assists
4Riley Thilthorpe
The breakout Crow enjoyed an injury-free season, and it showed. Thilthorpe kicked 60 goals, and was rewarded with his first All-Australian guernsey.
The 23-year-old's versatility was also on show, reflected by his ability to play multiple roles up forward, but more impressively, in the ruck as the second fiddle to Reilly O'Brien.
Thilthorpe recorded career highs in goals, disposals, inside 50s, clearances, score involvements and goal assists.
