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 RANKINGS
2. Brisbane
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.
