As the 2022 season approaches, we take a look at the best performing forwards throughout the 2021 season to try and gauge which of these attackers sits on top of the rankings going into the new season.
Here is our top 10 list of the best forwards in the league for this upcoming season.
RANKING THE TOP 10 RUCKMEN IN THE AFL
The Richmond veteran is coming into his 16th season with the Tigers, and still remains a solid option for the Punt Road club upfront. The 33-year-old is extremely reliable from set shots and goes hard into every contest, cementing himself as one of Richmond's best.
Although putting up slightly worse statistics than his previous years with the Tigers, the key forward still scored 51 goals for the season, averaging a solid 2.3 a game in an underperforming Richmond squad.
The injury-stricken Daniher finally got up and running in 2021, having missed a few games in years gone by. Standing tall at 201cm, Daniher moves incredibly well for a player of his size and can play almost as a rover at times, allowing him to score some dynamic and eye-catching goals.
Daniher was the only player in the 2021 season to score a goal in every round of the season, booting 46 goals for the year.
His slightly underwhelming average of 1.9 goals a game doesn’t tell the full story, as he remains one of the league’s most impactful and deadly forwards when fully fit.
Naughton had a lot of people backing him to have a standout year in 2021, and for the most part, the 195cm forward delivered.
The Doggies key forward made a case for himself last season, firmly establishing himself as one of the best big men in the competition.
'The Astronaut' lives up to his nickname, taking an incredible 153 marks for the year, the most out of any tall forward.
His elite ability to take Mark of the Year worthy clunks on a weekly basis makes him one of the most unique and exciting players to watch in the league.
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Fritsch took his game to new levels in 2021, being one of the spearheads that launched Melbourne into their premiership-winning campaign. The 25-year-old is incredibly nimble, being able to work well with the ball at ground level while also being strong enough to hold his own in the air.
Having a breakout year of sorts, the medium-sized forward kicked 59 goals for the season, beating his previous tally by 37.
A six-goal haul in the grand final was a standout moment for Fritsch, helping stake his claim as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.
The energetic Papley is easily one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition. His combination of pace, agility and strength makes him almost impossible to stop when the ball is at ground level, with his ability to score from seemingly impossible angles making him quite the complete player.
The Swans speedster went from strength to strength in 2021, scoring 43 goals while racking up an elite 10 kicks per game. His 13.9 disposals average also don’t go unnoticed, allowing him to work really well alongside his teammates in a fast-moving Swans forward line.
The rapid small forward has been deadly in front of goal for the Lions the last few seasons and played some of the best football of his career in 2021.
Almost unplayable at times, Cameron is best when the ball is at ground level, using his pace and agility to get the ball off the deck and through the posts with speed and precision.
Cameron made a big push for the Coleman Medal last season, scoring 55 goals with an average of 2.3 a game. These outstanding numbers set him apart from the opposition, leaving Cameron alone at the top as the highest-scoring small forward in the competition.
An icon of the modern game, ‘Buddy’ is still putting up excellent numbers despite being well past his prime. The 35-year-old has played 318 games in the AFL, but still remains one of the competition’s biggest game-changers when he’s up and running.
Franklin scored 51 goals for the year, averaging 2.8 goals a game. That's the second-highest average goals per game out of any player in the league, with only Coleman medallist Harry McKay having more.
‘Buddy' is also well renowned for his forward pressure, averaging an elite 2.6 tackles per game to give the Swans an advantage both with and without the ball.
The 24-year-old tall forward really found himself last season, stepping his game up to a whole new level. The Blues spearhead put up outstanding numbers every week for Carlton, and has established himself as one of the Blues'Â most impressive players in what was otherwise a fairly disappointing season.
McKay led the league in goals per game with an average of 3.1, scoring 58 goals throughout 2021.
The massive haul earned the Carlton forward the Coleman Medal for the season, beating out the likes of Geelong’s Tom Hawking and Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron
Hawkins has always been one of the competition's most formidable tall forwards, and it was no exception in 2021. Scoring 62 goals last season, Hawkins continues to be the main source of goals for Geelong and the veteran shows no signs of slowing down.
Hawkins also puts up above-average numbers in marks, averaging 5.2 marks a game. The 198cm unit is incredibly difficult to out-mark in the air, showcasing what makes him such an elite forward.
The Cats veteran has amassed 10 straight seasons of 46 or more goals, with 2022 sure to add another strong bag to his career tally.
The small forward has established himself as one of the best in the league, despite often being caught up in controversy. The fiery Giant continues to be one of GWS’ best options going forward, being able to work well with the ball in the air as well as at ground level.
Despite being a small forward, Greene puts up elite statistics in average goals (2.5) and disposals (17.2) while also averaging 4.3 marks a game.
His incredible skill on the ball is almost unmatched, with his ability to efficiently dispose of the ball as well as score himself making him one of the league's best all-round players