In the first chapter of Zero Hanger'sย 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...

2. Zane Duursma

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.

BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Zane Duursma of the Gippsland Power celebrates kicking a goal during the round five NAB League match between the Bendigo Pioneers and Gippsland Power at Queen Elizabeth Oval on May 01, 2022 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

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.