The 2023 season was a great year for goalkicking. For the first time since 2016, a player booted over 80 goals in a season (including finals). Charlie Curnow stormed home to take the Coleman Medal, averaging 3.1 goals per game.
The big forwards were well and truly back in fashion; Nick Larkey, Taylor Walker, Oscar Allen, Joe Daniher, Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron were all firing along with Curnow. Although small forwards did plenty of damage in 2023, we haven't picked any to take home the Coleman this coming season given the history of the award's winners.
Of course, small forwards can wreak havoc on an opponent's backline but the pure goalkicking talents of a big key forward seem more likely to take out the prized award.
With the 2024 season kicking off next month, we've picked out five of the leading candidates for the Coleman Medal.
Note:ย The players listed are in no particular order, simply the five potential winners we've selected.ย
3. Jeremy Cameron
Three-time All-Australian and 2019 Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron had a strong season in 2023, despite the Cats' shortcomings. The Cat kicked 53 goals last season, starting incredibly strong in the first half of the year.
He started so well, in fact, the debate on whether we could see a 100-goal year started to gain some traction.
Of course, the century season never came, by season's end Cameron wasn't even close. But if there's anything we've learnt about the 30-year-old since his debut with the Giants in 2012, it's to not count him out. In the first 10 rounds of the season, Cameron's goal tally was sitting nicely at 36 before his output declined.
The superstar still has plenty to offer, and knowing Geelong, they won't be down and out for very long. 2023 marked only the second time since 2006 that the Cats didn't feature in September, the first occurrence taking place in 2015. With Tom Hawkins on his way out, watch out for Cameron as he puts his foot down and hits the scoreboard.
