With our picks for the best defensive groups that never overlapped in the AFL era in the books, it is now time to shift our focus to the opposite end of the field.
When we think about the game's greatest highlights, it is usually the men in the goal square that acted as architects.
When we as fans cast our minds back to the first numbers we ever had stitched onto our replica jumpers, it was usually the full forward's digits that we selected.
They are the men that keep both the scoreboard and the turnstiles ticking.
With the AFL era now 32 years old (1990 to the present day), we here at Zero Hanger have decided to select a group of club greats on each line whose careers never overlapped.
As with our group of defenders, here are the ground rules for selection:
1. Three players must be selected from each club.
2. Even if they have played for multiple clubs, no player can be selected on the list of two teams.
3. All players must have played at least a portion of their careers from 1990 onwards.
4. As mentioned, no player can have played an in-season match with any of their colleagues during their time at their selected club.
For example, should Jason Dunstall be selected for Hawthorn, then all of his forward line friends from 1985 to 1998 will fail our criteria.
With that in mind, here is our best stab.
Let us know how we have gone and which clubs you feel have fared best.
Greater Western Sydney
Setanta Ó hAilpín – 2012-2013 (8 games and 15 goals)
Following a flatline in form and his decision to ram his foot up Cameron Cloke's backside, Setanta Ó hAilpín was sent north to Western Sydney.
Despite kicking a pair of goals in his first game against his old club, Ó hAilpín blew his ACL out and was not sighted in an orange jumper again for nearly 12 months.
He did manage five goals in his return game, but the Irishman's luck was up by the end of 2013 and he was subsequently delisted.
Steve Johnson – 2016-2017 (40 games and 64 goals)
After a superb career as a Cat, Steve Johnson went north to begin the 2016 season in an effort to wrangle a fourth flag and simultaneously top up his super.
Despite the Giants failing at the penultimate hurdle in Johnson's pair of seasons with the club, the charismatic forward did manage annual hauls of 43 and 21 goals respectively.
Jake Riccardi – 2020-Present (5 games and 9 goals)
Many may claim this selection has come off far too small a sample size, and you know what, I agree with you. However, finding three GWS forwards with careers that do not intertwine is as tough as old boots.
Still, if Riccardi can perennially repeat his second game performance of four goals, then I will be quite happy to offer a retraction.
