The start of the 2023 AFL season is drawing closer and with it comes the second instalment of Zero Hanger's forward line rankings, revealing the 12-7 spots.
We've already named our 18-13 ranked forward lines, but now it's time to dive into the middle of the table as we reveal the next six best forward lines in the AFL.
SEE: PART I OF OUR FORWARD RANKINGS
3. (10th) Gold Coast
The Suns are tipped to improve in 2023 after a solid output last season, ending the year in 12th position as they eye finals this year.
Ben King's return from an ACL injury looms as a major inclusion for Gold Coast this season, with their key forward booting 47 goals in the 2021 season, just his third in the AFL.
King's injury wasn't all dire for the Suns though, with their off-season acquisition of Mabior Chol turning out to be a masterstroke. In King's absence, Chol headed the Suns' goalkicking tally, booting 44 goals from 22 games.
Former Blue Levi Casboult also impressed in attack in his first season as a Sun, kicking 35 goals from 21 goals as he and Chol formed an unlikely, but impressive duo in the forward line.
As King returns, there's the question of how the Suns will balance their abundance of talls, with the three managing three goals between them in last weekend's practice game against the Giants.
Meanwhile, Joel Jeffery (192cm) has untapped potential and Jack Lukosius (195cm) is set to play forward this year. Suns coach Stuart Dew has admitted he can't play all five, but has floated the idea of playing four, an interesting combination to watch unfold this season.
The loss of Izak Rankine to the Crows will be felt, with Malcolm Rosas potentially in line for more game time after his 15-game 2022, while new recruit Tom Berry has shown he can deliver pressure around the ball.
On paper, the Suns are checking plenty of boxes, but are relying on both Chol and Casboult backing up their 2022 form and their tall experiment paying off, something only time will tell.
