The top 10 AFL forwards going into the 2021 season

With the 2021 season on the horizon and pre-season matches just a month away, it’s time to reflect on who are the best forwards in the game. Here are the top ten offensive players in the competition. See also: The TEN best midfielders heading into 2021 The TEN best ruckmen heading into 2021 The TEN best defenders heading into 2021 Tom Papley Papley started off 2020 with a bang, kicking eight goals in the first four rounds.. His unpredictability makes him an absolute handful for opposition defenders and can flip a game on it's head when on his day. https://twitter.com/1116sen/status/1286924686312402944?s=20 The 24-year-old finished the season with 26 majors, and was unlucky not to get an All-Australian blazer. With the Swans looking to improve next season and get another year of experience under their belt, Papley will be integral in bringing in goals for the team. Toby Greene Toby Greene is a name which is never far from controversy, with the 27-year-old a regular subject of the league tribunal. However, we're going on ability here and Greene has that in spades. Despite the Giants having a mediocre 2020, Greene still averaged 15.8 disposals per game - an elite figure for a small forward - as well as 1.4 marks inside 50 and 0.9 contested marks. He finished up the year with 17 majors, but still was one of GWS' most important figures. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1306906108208926722?s=20 Jack Darling Jack Darling has been a consistent performer for the Eagles over the years, and has been a staple in their forward line for the best part of the last decade. His most impressive characteristic is his contested marking ability. Darling finished fourth in contested marks for season 2020, and ended up booting 30 goals over the course of the shortened season. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1306531354939596800?s=20 The 28-year-old can also set up goals for his team, highlighted in him finishing fifth for total goal assists in last year. Liam Ryan West Coast's 'Flyin' Ryan' is arguably the game's most exciting player, delivering breathtaking moments week-in, week-out. Ryan had a spectacular 2020, claiming his first All-Australian blazer and finishing the season with a hefty 26 goals in 18 games as a small forward. His incredible ability to read the game and create his own highlight reel out of every game is the reason why he is certified to be a star for the foreseeable future. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1312345699124539392?s=20 Charlie Cameron Charlie Cameron attracts a crowd wherever he goes, with his trickery and goal sense lifting fans out of their seats on a regular basis. He played an integral part in the Lions' run to the preliminary final in 2020, most notably through a stellar three-goal performance against Richmond in week one of the series. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1312173014080000000?s=20 Cameron finished equal sixth in the Coleman Medal tally, ending the year with 31 goals from 19 games and cementing his status as one of the best in the business. Tom Lynch Despite many rival fans maligning the big man, there is no understating the importance of Tom Lynch to the Tigers' forward-line. Since arriving at the club at the start of 2019, Lynch has been outstanding, booting 95 goals in 44 appearances. When he was absent from the qualifying final against the Lions, he was sorely missed as the Tigers forward-line was tamed, but came back and helped his side go back-to-back. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1314528342079463424?s=20 Jeremy Cameron After a high-profile switch to the Cats in the trade period, Jeremy Cameron will hope to get back onto the top perch of the Coleman Medal tally after a disappointing year by his lofty standards. The main man down forward managed only 24 majors for season 2020, but a switch to the Cats might squander his chances of a higher goal tally, sharing the forward-line with the big 'Tomahawk'. Still, there is no doubting the 27-year-old's ability, with his 2019 season total of 76 showing that he is capable of monster totals. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1304743199596978183?s=20 Charlie Dixon Charlie Dixon was in frightening form in 2020. He was one of the main factors which saw Port Adelaide claim the minor premiership, and had the equal second most goals in the league with a tally of 34. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1317744645472874500?s=20 His enormous frame is incredibly intimidating for opposition defenders to go up against, winning most of his match-ups no matter who goes to him. When beaten, which is rare enough, it is noticeable how toothless the Power look, further emphasising the importance of Charlie being on his game. Josh Kennedy Josh Kennedy has consistently been in the top five forwards in the AFL for the past decade. His huge frame and marking ability have seen him take out three All-Australian blazers and two Coleman Medals. Although he is in his twilight years at the ripe age of 34, it doesn't look like he is slowing down, kicking 34 goals last year, finishing second in the Coleman Medal tally whilst also finishing third in total marks inside 50. Although the Eagles may be looking to replace him in the coming years, for now Kennedy is still one of the stars of the game. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1317752642135715840?s=20 Tom Hawkins The big 'Tomahawk' had an incredible 2020. The 32-year-old finished the year with a staggering 49 goals in 17 matches, 15 goals more than the second-placed Dixon and Kennedy. Standing at 198cm and 103kg, Hawkins is a modern-day colossus and shows it week-in, week-out. He finished first in total goal assists, marks inside 50 and score involvements whilst posting elite figures for a tall forward in effective disposals and marks on lead per game. Despite Jeremy Cameron coming down from the Giants to give Hawkins some competition in 2021, don't expect the big cat to be giving up his position anytime soon. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1314884279000735744?s=20

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	GC	3	3	0	12	191
2	SYD	4	3	1	12	182.9
3	WB	3	3	0	12	137.2
4	FRE	4	3	1	12	133.4
5	NMFC	4	3	1	12	115.3
6	HAW	3	2	1	8	118.1
7	PORT	4	2	2	8	117.6
8	BL	4	2	2	8	110.6
9	MELB	3	2	1	8	96
10	COLL	4	2	2	8	93.1

The top 10 AFL forwards going into the 2021 season

The league is spoilt for choice when it comes to attacking stars. See who tops our list ahead of the new season👇

5. Tom Lynch

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