Forwards are usually the players that get fans through the turnstiles, with their incredible eye for goal and licence to thrill making them one of the most valuable parts of any side.
The other departments of the ground can work their collective backsides off to get the ball to a scoring position, but if a team doesn't possess the personnel to hit the scoreboard, then all their efforts will be in vain.
A good forward line doesn't necessarily need to be stacked with key forwards - as Richmond displayed in 2017 - with the right game style suiting smalls who feed off packs to kick crafty majors and perform the heavy lifting of a tall.
With under a month left until the first round of the 2022 season kicks off, it's time to reflect on which forward lines are ranked.
Every AFL clubโs forward line ranked: Part II
6. (13) Fremantle
For all the Dockers' solidity across the ground, the side is still very lopsided when it comes to their attacking output.
Although the capture of one of the drafts best key forwards in the form of Jye Amiss is a huge get for the side, Matt Taberner will start Round 1 as the side's main attacking threat.
Lachie Schultz is a solid runner-up to Taberner in the attacking influence department, whilst big man Rory Lobb's rotation between ruck and forward duties only serve to help Justin Longmuir's side.
Second-year player Josh Treacy should be aiming to nail down a spot in the forward line following his 15 games in 2021, as will veterans Michael Walters and Travis Colyerย with the former of the two coming into the twilight years of his career.
Sam Switkowski and David Mundy provide plenty of run off half-forward and should start Round 1, with youngsters such as the aforementioned Amiss, Minairo Frederick, Bailey Banfield and Sam Sturt set to try and break into the side across the course of the season.
