With the AFL season just around the corner, we've reached the final instalment of our forwards ranking series, with the top six spots revealed.
We've identified the top six forward lines in the AFL, revealing our number one spot for the 2023 season.
SEE: PART I AND PART II OF OUR FORWARD RANKINGSÂ
The Demons are looming as genuine premiership contenders once again in 2023, but will need to sort some issues with their efficiency inside 50 should they wish to improve on their preliminary final finish last season.
Melbourne ranked third competition wide for inside 50s in 2022, but sixth for points scored, averaging 12.5 goals per game.
The two tall pillars in the forward line, Ben Brown and Tom McDonald, form a reliable combination, kicking 45 goals between them in an injury-interrupted 2022, but will need to capitalise on opportunities. The Dees though, have plenty of other avenues to goal.
The highly anticipated ruck duo of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy combined for six goals in Melbourne's practice match win over Richmond, and should provide some aerial dominance inside 50.
Kysaiah Pickett meanwhile managed 41 goals from 23 games last season and will be dangerous for the Demons once again, while Charlie Spargo and Kade Chandler impressed in Melbourne's practice match. Chandler, who managed just four games last season, may find it tough to break into the Demons' side but showed plenty against the Tigers, demonstrating the depth the Dees have in the forward half.
Bayley Fritsch led the Demons' goalkicking tally last season, ending the year with 55 goals from 24 games, and is invaluable to the club inside 50, while top draft pick Jacob Van Rooyen could finally see some game time after a dominant 2022 season in the VFL as the Demons continue to develop their young prospect.
The twin towers in Carlton's forward line hardly need any introduction, with Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow forming a dynamic pairing inside 50.
Curnow managed a strong 2022 campaign after an injury disrupted few years, kicking a club-high 64 goals from 22 appearances.
The biggest problem for the Blues though is what happens at the feet of their two big men. While the star pair combined for 109 goals in 2022 alone, their other fleet of forwards didn't kick more than 20 majors.
Jack Silvagni (17 goals last season) provides another marking option for the Blues up forward, as does young tall Tom De Koning (4), when Carlton are seeking a taller forward set-up.
While the dominant duo of McKay and Curnow are the envy of many in the competition, the Blues do have work to do to ensure they have other avenues to goal. The small forward spots are certainly not locked down, with Jesse Motlop, Corey Durdin, Matthew Owies, Zac Fisher and Josh Honey all looming with value in the forward line.
Richmond have a forward line stacked with x-factor heading into the 2023 season, ready to improve on their elimination final loss last season.
Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt will once again spearhead the forward line, having kicked 103 goals between them last year in a dominant display, with Lynch kicking 63 of those to end the season as runner-up in the Coleman Medal.
Shai Bolton enjoyed a stellar 2022 season, a career-best, kicking 43 goals and earning a maiden All-Australian inclusion and set to be one of the players to watch inside 50 this season.
Dustin Martin has also been spending plenty of time in the forward line this pre-season, expected to cause issues for the opposition throughout the year, hitting the scoreboard in the Tigers' practice-match loss to the Demons.
Former skipper Trent Cotchin is also expected to line up in the forward line come Round 1, as the stacked Richmond midfield forces him into a different role. The Tigers veteran spent all pre-season training as a forward, hoping to add to his career tally of 134 goals as the season unfolds.
Noah Cumberland's 19 goals in 2022 should see him given more opportunity this season to add some versatility, while Maurice Rioli's defensive efforts add another element to the Tigers' attack.
The Swans are looking to make amends for a disastrous grand final appearance last season, hoping their veteran forward in Lance Franklin can continue providing much-needed experience to a developing flock of Swans.
Sydney had five players kick 20 goals or more throughout the season, with Franklin topping the table with 52 from 23 games, with Isaac Heeney following close behind with 49 majors from 25 games.
Young target Logan McDonald is likely to bounce back from being left out of the grand final side and feature throughout the year, hoping to improve on his 15-goal effort in 2022, as the Swans look to put more minutes, and confidence, into their young talent.
While Heeney is electric inside 50, becoming a major target going forward last season, the Swans also have Tom Papley to create opportunity. The energetic small forward booted 32 goals last season in yet another consistent effort we've come to expect from the 26-year-old.
Will Hayward is yet another threat for the Swans in attack, looking to improve on a 25-game, 34-goal 2022 season - a career-best.
Veteran Sam Reid provides needed depth on the list and was important for the Swans last season, but at 31, may find John Longmire prioritising his young cohort on the field, while Errol Gulden and Ryan Clarke will continue to provide reinforcements in attack.
The Lions added to their premiership stocks in 2022's trade period, welcoming 225-game, 430-goal kicker Jack Gunston to the club. The three-time premiership Hawk brings plenty of experience to a new-look Lions forward line, with the inside 50 structure gaining more chemistry as the pre-season wore on.
Gunston joins fellow talls Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, with the latter two combining for 64 goals in 2022 in what is looming as a dangerous set-up for rival defences.
The dynamite trio is aided by an impressive fleet of small forwards, with Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy leading the charge. Cameron led the Lions on the goalkicking leaderboard in 2022, booting 54 goals from 25 games, while McCarthy kicked 35 majors of his own.
Zac Bailey adds more value to the forward line, despite his time spent in the midfield, and is set to improve even more in his sixth season after a 37-goal 2022 campaign.
Former Bulldog Josh Dunkley is also expected to spend some time forward while resting from his midfield load, adding yet another dynamic element for Chris Fagan.
Cam Rayner spent the majority of the pre-season training in defence, but may still appear in attack when required, while highly rated draftee Will Ashcroft is also expected to hit the scoreboard throughout the year.
The reigning premiers are the envy of the competition heading into 2023, with a dynamic forward line headed by Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. The two combined for an incredible 132 goals in their premiership campaign, with Hawkins coming out just on top with 67.
The inclusion of former Pie Ollie Henry gives the Cats an option to play a third tall, with the 20-year-old booting 21 goals in his last season with Collingwood, while his brother Jack also found himself inside 50 for parts of Geelong's practice match.
Brad Close proved his worth in 2022, playing 25 games and kicking 26 goals, including two on grand final day. The 24-year-old is heading into just his fourth season at the club but is an important cog in the Cats' structure, expected to continue that form this season.
The forward talent at the Cattery doesn't end there, with Tyson Stengle's 2022 season one to remember. The All-Australian averaged two goals a game last season in his first year at the Cats, ending the year with 53 majors to his name.
Gary Rohan and Gryan Miers add extra depth, leaving the Cats in a very good position to defend their premiership title this season.