As the saying goes, forwards sell memberships, and the reasons behind that are obvious. They offer fans the nail-biting, heart-pounding, breath-holding moments in football, with goalscoring shots that can turn momentum on its head, and ultimately, be the difference maker in the result of a game.
In 2024, Jesse Hogan notched his first Coleman Medal with a 69-goal season, 11 ahead of next-best Jeremy Cameron (58) who was closely followed by the reigning leading goalkicker Charlie Curnow (57).
Last season Geelong led the league for goals per game, edging out runner-up Sydney slightly. The Swans led the league for points per game overall though, followed by the Western Bulldogs.
However, after trade and free agency moves, retirements, and new draftees, the forward lines across the league won't be the same as last year. So, with the Opening Round less than two months away, we've ranked every club's forward line 18-1 to determine which club is the greatest attacking threat in 2025.
Here is Part 1, ranking teams 18th through 13th...
5. (14th) Melbourne
The Demons lack a true key forward, as while Bayley Fritsch presents as an undersized option, their taller targets are still developing.
Jacob Van Rooyen certainly has the potential to become the future key forward Melbourne desire, but he is only 21. A breakout season for the young tall could provide the Demons with more firepower up forward, after averaging 1.4 goals per game in his first two full seasons.
Daniel Turner is also a viable option but has yet to have a breakout year at AFL level.
On a positive note, the Demons boast the talent of Kysaiah Pickett, who has kicked 36+ goals in his last four seasons. Pickett and Fritsch have been the one-two punch since 2021, however their goalkicking numbers have decreased year-on-year.
Despite the brewing talent, Melbourne are still lacking some sort of edge in their forward 50. They ranked 14th for points per game in 2024, a stark contrast to their top-six rankings between 2021 and 2023. If they are to reascend the ladder in 2025, their forwards' contribution must improve significantly.
