Forward lines are more often than not where the magic happens on a footy ground, with fans eager to see exciting, high-scoring football.
2022 saw Charlie Curnow claim the Coleman Medal with a 64-goal effort, closely followed by fellow stars Tom Lynch and Jeremy Cameron, as 2023 shapes up to provide fans with even more to cheer about.
After trades galore last year and several new coaches in place, teams, and forward lines, may look a little different this season.
With the first game of the year fast approaching, we have taken a look at all 18 forward lines around the competition, ranking them ahead of the 2023 season.
Here are the first six forward lines, ranking 18th down to 13th...
2. (17th) West Coast
The retirement of Eagles legend Josh Kennedy leaves a big hole needing to be replaced up forward for West Coast. Despite hanging up the boots after 17 seasons in the game, Kennedy still topped West Coast's goalkicking leaderboard last season, booting 37 goals from 15 games.
Jack Darling is still an essential cog inside 50 as he heads into season number 13 in the AFL, and the Eagles will be hoping the 30-year-old remains as consistent as ever in the wake of Kennedy's departure.
In 2022, the Eagles averaged 40.6 inside 50s per game, the lowest in the competition, consistently struggling to put scores on the board as they endured an arduous season around the ground.
With some much-needed inclusions this season as key players return from injury, it's hoped West Coast's ball movement up the ground will improve, but the issues inside 50 will remain.
While Darling is a reliable option, more responsibility is now going to be thrown toward Oscar Allen, who missed all of 2022 due to a foot injury. The young key forward has been thrown around the ground when needed by Adam Simpson throughout his career, but will now be a tall target inside 50 alongside Darling, hoping to regain some form in the wake of his injury.
