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...
6. (13th) Collingwood
Collingwood finally signed an experienced key forward target in the off-season in Tim Membrey, but it still may be another season of relying upon small forwards and potent midfielders to add to the scoreboard in 2025 as Membrey enters the twilight years of his career.
Brody Mihocek remains the best key forward option besides Membrey after kicking 19 goals from his 11 appearances in 2024. A fully healthy Dan McStay will also be impactful but he hasn't made his case for being a star key forward yet, with his career-high goalkicking season just 28 majors.
The Magpies' list overall is notably old, and the veteran players trickle into their forward line. Jamie Elliot (32), Mihocek (31) and Membrey (30) are the oldest, but Collingwood are fortunate to have Lachie Schultz (27) and Beau McCreery (23) in the mix too.
Of course, the exhilarating Bobby Hill provides the X-factor needed to have a dynamic forward line, with his craftiness and agility able to create goals out of nothing.
With just one player cracking the 30-goal mark in 2024 (Hill), Collingwood's premiership aspirations have been rightfully questioned with the limited targets inside 50. Likewise to North Melbourne, the impact of veterans such as Membrey will be a wait-and-see story before the Pies can be ranked any higher.
