Our top 10 series continues with arguably the most valuable commodity in the game; the key forward.
Every team needs a capable tall target up forward if they're any hope of competing in big games, and boasting a superstar helps dramatically.
While premiership teams don't often hold the keys to the Coleman medallist on their team, having a target like Charlie Curnow inside 50 strikes fear into opposing sides and provides a bail-out option against potent defensive schemes.
While they don't dominate the game like they used to, when forward 50s were cleared out to allow unstoppable one-on-one matchups, teams still require a target to take marks, hit the scoreboard, provide a contest and work up the ground.
The position is more demanding than ever and in higher demand than ever, evidenced by the lucrative deals and offers that accompany most primary options in the league.
This list ranks the best key forwards ahead of 2025, starting with those who just missed the top 10.
Snubs:
- Taylor Walker
- Max King
- Aaron Naughton
- Kyle Langford
- Darcy Fogarty
- Brody Mihocek
- Oliver Henry
- Peter Wright
6. Nick Larkey
It was always going to be tough for Larkey to compete with the lofty standard set by his astonishing 71-goal All-Australian campaign in 2023 en route to North Melbourne's 17th-placed finish.
He couldn't scrape 50 majors this season but delivered individual performances displaying similar 2023 form - notably in his five-goal haul in North Melbourne's first win of the season against West Coast.
Without a win from their first 11 games of the season, it took a while for the ball to get rolling in Larkey's favour, being unable to bag more than three goals in any game of this stretch.
The back half of the season saw him return close to his best, but with just three wins for the year, opportunities were still lacking for Larkey. As North Melbourne inevitably rise up the ladder in the years to come, Larkey's presence is key to their hopeful success.
