The forward line is the glamour position in Australian football, home to the game's most famous and loved players.
The key forward often grabs the headlines with match-winning hauls and highlight-reel moments, providing the finishing touch that turns dominance into scoreboard pressure.
These five superstars epitomise that and will look to spearhead their respective club's attacks again in 2026.
So, who are the favourites to claim the leading goalkicker title this year? And more importantly, could any of them break the elusive 100-goal barrier?
Honourable mentions: Aaron Cadman, Logan Morris, Mitch Georgiades, Nick Larkey, Riley Thilthorpe
2Jesse Hogan
Injuries disrupted what could have been a dominant 2025 for Hogan, yet he still demonstrated his force inside 50 in his 16 senior appearances, averaging 2.9 goals per game.
That would put him on pace for 67 goals across a 23-game home-and-away season, or the third-highest tally in the AFL last year.
The 31-year-old's aerial ability, forward craft and goalkicking accuracy have made him one of the most revered key forwards in the competition. The Giants need Hogan at his best if they are to contend for a premiership, and considering the addition of Clayton Oliver into the midfield mix, the Giants' delivery inside 50 to their star spearhead is only going to get better.
assuming he stays injury free, then I reckon Mitch Lewis might surprise a few.