In the first chapter of Zero Hanger's positional rankings for the final week leading up to the 2023 AFL Draft, we'll be counting down the five best forward prospects on offer.
Between spearheads, small forwards or hybrid assets, the premier attacking names among this year's class each offer differing skill sets and strengths, with each of the top five a live chance of earning top 10 draft selections.
Two of the five players listed have ties to AFL clubs via either father-son or Academy links, while a further two teenagers in this list won't be the first from their families to step up to the elite level.
Accompanied by comments from AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan, here are the FIVE best forward prospects for the 2023 AFL Draft...
FULL PROFILE
Position: Key Forward
Height: 200cm
Weight: 81kg
State: Victoria
Club: Maribyrnong Park
The Western Bulldogs father-son selection was a steady riser throughout 2023, with his promising middle third of the year seeing his name soon cemented among the top 20.
The son of ex-Dogs defender Matthew Croft, Jordan's impressive Talent League goal run was sparked in Round 4 against the Northern Territory, booting five majors before finishing a seven-game streak with a total of 21 goals to his name.
Croft would tally up the 23.17 in the competition from his 11 appearances while averaging 10.2 disposals and 3.5 marks per game to earn a place in the Talent League Team of the Year.
The 200cm key forward, who utilises his elite leaping and marking abilities, would also represent Vic Metro in a trio of matches at the National Championships this year for a return of four goals.
Kevin Sheehan says: A tall forward who is lightly built but extremely athletic. He uses his mobility and height to create opportunities as a marking forward, with his speed and precise kicking key features of his game. He only fully focused on a potential AFL career last year after pursuing volleyball. Starred with the Calder Cannons and Victoria Metro this year kicking 33 goals in the talent pathway.
FULL PROFILE
Position: Key Forward
Height: 193cm
Weight: 92kg
State: Victoria
Club: Yarrambat
The nephew of former Richmond premiership utility Josh Caddy, Nate is a high-leaping ley forward who knows how to turn the game in his favour.
While he stands at 193cm, Caddy is one of the leading contested mark players this year's class has to offer, mimicking two-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow with his capacity to crash packs and convert on goal.
The Northern Knights product represented Vic Metro on a total of five occasions across the past two seasons, tallying nine goals to see his services placed among the likely first 10 selected next Monday night.
Caddy's Talent League season haul of 25 goals was good for eighth best in the league for total goals and third highest for goals per game (2.8), with Caddy making the most of his limited number of appearances to kick multiple majors on seven occasions.
His draft campaign would culminate with a 6.4 and 25-disposal outing against Bendigo in Round 11.
Kevin Sheehan says: A pack marking forward with a vice-like grip overhead who has a real physical presence with his impact inside 50. Has also shown he can provide a lift for his team with his ability to win the contested ball as a midfielder when the occasion arises. Had an outstanding year with the Northern Knights averaging 16.3 disposals and 6.2 marks across nine matches to earn selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.
FULL PROFILE
Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Weight: 68kg
State: Victoria
Club: East Ringwood
A mercurial small forward with a seemingly endless bag of tricks, Watson is a bonafide match-winner who stands at just 170cm tall.
Viewed as a potential top five selection for 2023, the Eastern Ranges talent played further up the field across his Talent League season and would record 20 or more disposals in five of his 11 games.
His best outing would come in Round 3 against the Northern Knights, where he collected 34 disposals and had seven scoring shots.
At the higher level with Vic Metro, Watson would look comfortable in attack as either a deep forward threat or as a roaming half-forward presence who could have a big impact on the transition.
Watson booted 14 goals from his four matches at the National Championships to only strengthen his draft stocks, while he was also among the best performers for the AFL Academy this year in having an impact at either end of the field across their encounters with Port Adelaide's SANFL side and Carlton's VFL unit.
Kevin Sheehan Says: A small forward who is quick, agile and crafty and has a real appetite for the contest. Gave a glimpse of his potential last year when he booted 23 goals in 10 matches in the talent pathway. Was impossible to contain in the National Championships this year, booting 14 goals in four matches for Victoria Metro to top the goal kicking.
FULL PROFILE
Position: Midfielder-Forward
Height: 189cm
Weight: 79kg
State: Victoria
Club: Foster
The younger brother of Essendon recruit Xavier Duursma and Port Adelaide's Yasmin, Zane is a prolific hybrid forward-midfield talent who is viewed among the top echelon of prospects for 2023.
The Gippsland Power star has made a name for himself as a player with X-Factor who can role through midfield or sit in attack as a forward target with an ability to win the game off his own boot in either role.
Perhaps like an inversed Nat Fyfe, while Duursma is a damaging midfielder, he is best suited as a medium forward who uses his football smarts and athleticism to get the upper hand over his opponents.
Duursma's second half of 2023 has seen him only riser further among the eyes of AFL scouts, with a four-goal outing against Vic Metro to end his National Championships campaign sparking a dominant run home with Gippsland at the Talent League level.
The Foster forward booted 33 goals for the Power to rank second in the competition and fourth for goals per game (2.8), with almost half of those goals coming in a four-game run into the finals.
Kevin Sheehan says: A mercurial forward or midfielder who reads the play exceptionally well, is strong overhead and deadly accurate around the goals. Was an outstanding player for Victoria Country at the National Championships to earn All Australian honours, which included a match-winning performance against Victoria Metro in the final game he amassed 22 disposals, 10 marks and four goals.
FULL PROFILE
Position: Key Forward
Height: 194cm
Weight: 97kg
State: Queensland
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
A goliath for the opposition to deal with, Walter's dominant size and strength saw him emerge as a difference maker for his direct opponents this year at both the National Championships and Talent League pathways.
Up against the best key defenders this year's class has to offer, Walter booted 11 goals from his four games with the Allies to help the multi-state side clinch its maiden carnival title.
The Palm Beach Currumbin junior and Suns Academy graduate would also leave a resounding impact on the Talent League from the same amount of appearances for Gold Coast, where he booted 18 goals to average a competition-best 4.5 goals per game.
Had it not been for his links to the Suns, Walter could've been the first name called at next week's National Draft given his ready-made frame and key position qualities.
The 194cm tall forward is likely to earn a bid early into the draft and will be viewed as the long-term partner for Suns spearhead Ben King for the years to come.
Kevin Sheehan says: A strong and powerful tall forward who has taken all before him in the past two years starring for the Gold Coast Suns Academy and the Allies and is a back-to-back All Australian at under 18 level. Has a real physical presence up forward with his appetite for the contest, along with his second efforts and tackling pressure.