Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane name the best forwards in the AFL

THEY earn the big bucks. The AFL’s best forwards come in all shapes and sizes, but who would you pick if you could have just one. See each club’s superstar and HAVE YOUR SAY.

THEY earn the big bucks, they drag the crowd through the gates, they make the AFL the captivating contest that it is.

They are the AFL’s big forwards, the matchwinners who match rampant egos with the performances to match.

But which one would you pick if they were all strutting around the AFL’s version of the Melbourne Cup mounting yard?

THEIR SAY: FOX FOOTY EXPERTS PICK THEIR NO.1

TOBY GREENE: ‘I PROBABLY WAS AN IDIOT’

Especially if you had to factor in their big-game experience, their role in 2018, and how critical they are to their team’s structure.

But wait, there’s more: you can only choose one player from each side.

So there’s no Tex-and-Eddie Betts combo, no Dusty and Jack controlling the Tigers’ front six.

And one more wrinkle — to reflect the growing trends of the modern game this list is no longer the sole domain of the key forwards.

So Patrick Dangerfield gets the nod over Tom Hawkins and Nathan Fyfe slots in as a projection of a monster season ahead up forward.

JON RALPH and GLENN McFARLANE take up the challenge.

Lance Franklin loves the big stage. Pic: Getty Images

1. LANCE FRANKLIN (Syd)

Goal power: 10. Assists: 9. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 8.

MARK: 36

Big “Bud” is still the king of the jungle. His 154 goals in the past two years are the most in the AFL and his assists rate — 65 in the past two years — is second only to Taylor Walker among the big boys. And he’d be filthy to have been injured as Sydney was dumped from the past two finals series, going goalless. At 31 and with 860 goals to his name, the reigning Coleman medallist shows no sign of fading.

2. JACK RIEWOLDT (Rich)

Goal power: 8. Assists: 9. Leadership/structure: 10. Big-game performance: 8.

MARK: 35

No Dustin Martin? As powerful and prolific as “Dusty” is when one-out in attack, Riewoldt’s full-time forward presence was one of the key reasons why Punt Rd houses cup No.11. Riewoldt booted 102 goals across the past two seasons, bagging at least 48 a season in the past seven years. Had a big September and is the glue that holds together the small Tigers’ attack. Has turned a perception of selfishness into selflessness in the space of a few years.

3. JOE DANIHER (Ess)

Goal power: 10. Assists: 7. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 8.

MARK: 34

Joe Daniher’s star is rising fast. The entire forward line centres around Daniher’s marking and pack-crashing, though he could lift his defensive pressure and assist rate (39 in 2016 and ’17). If you needed a key forward for the next five years, you’d pick Joey.

Some think Joe Daniher will one day be the game’s best player. Picture. Phil Hillyard

4. JOSH KENNEDY (WC)

Goal power: 10. Assists: 6. Leadership/structure: 10. Big-game performance: 7.5.

MARK: 33.5

With an ounce of luck and if he hadn’t missed five games to a calf injury last year, we’d be talking a three-peat of Coleman Medals for Kennedy. He kicked 151 goals in 2016-17 and 24 per cent of the Eagles’ majors last year — the most of any key forward. Simply, if he doesn’t kick goals, the Eagles don’t win. Has been OK in finals, but has never kicked more than four in September and did have a goalless 2015 Grand Final.

5. EDDIE BETTS (Adel)

Goal power: 10. Assists: 9. Leadership/structure: 7. Big-game performance: 7.

MARK: 33

Dazzlingly afforded his full name by commentators when he struts his stuff on the big stage, ‘Eddie Betts’ is a joy to behold. He is also a stunningly effective footballer, his 130 goals in the past two years third only to Franklin and Kennedy. He is also second only to teammate Walker for assists among all forwards during that time. Betts had a poor Grand Final last year against Richmond stopper Dylan Grimes, but bags of five and six in recent finals show he is no flat-track bully.

6. PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Geel)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 8.5. Leadership/structure: 8. Big-game performance: 9.

MARK: 32.5

“Danger” booted 45 goals last year and had the same number of scoring shots as Tom Hawkins from his cameos in attack, highlighted by a breathtaking semi-final against Sydney. On his strike rate of time forward to actual goals kicked, he could have won the Coleman last year. And he doesn’t just kick goals — he’s also had 70 assists during the past two seasons. With the return of prodigal son Gary Ablett, will Paddy spend even more time deep in attack?

Patrick Dangerfield has shown he can do it in the midfield or inside 50. Pic: Michael Klein

7. TOBY GREENE (GWS)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 9. Leadership/structure: 7. Big-game performance: 9.

MARK: 32

Many in the Giants’ inner sanctum say this firecracker of a player is their most important cog. Greene averages more than two goals a game, is a contested marking freak, and was third in assists in 2017 behind Adelaide’s Betts and Walker. As his three goals in the 2016 preliminary against the Doggies showed, the bigger the stage, the more he relishes the occasion.

8. BEN BROWN (North Melb)

Goal power: 9. Assists: 7. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 6.5.

MARK: 31.5

How Ben Brown missed All-Australian selection last year defies logic. He kicked 63 goals and was in the running for the Coleman despite playing in a team that won just six matches. Only two players took more marks inside 50m than the Kangaroos spearhead and Brown was his team’s target going inside 50 on 37 per cent of occasions — the most of any forward. He has a modest assist record, but is a genuine star with a massive upside.

9. TOM LYNCH (GC)

Goal power: 9. Assists: 8. Leadership/structure: 8. Big-game performance: 6.

MARK: 31

Like Dusty before him, can he ramp up his price tag with a bumper year free of the niggles that curtailed him in 2017? Blessed with hands of steel, a spring-heeled leap, an unerring set shot, a tank to transport him up the field, Lynch is the full package. He hasn’t yet had the big stage upon which to prove himself, but in a year where he will be footy’s most talked-about name, he can rise up this list with a bullet.

10. NATHAN FYFE (Frem)

Goal power: 5. Assists: 7. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 9.

MARK: 30

If you think this ranking is based on the possibility of Nathan Fyfe, centre half-forward, you might just be right. He can be the beating heart of Fremantle’s forward line, the X-factor that kicks 40 goals and allows the front six to operate cohesively. Fyfe only bagged 24 goals last year, but has already trialled as a roaming key target this pre-season.

Jarryd Roughead’s story is one of courage and triumph. Pic: Michael Klein

11. JARRYD ROUGHEAD (Haw)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 8.5. Leadership/structure: 7. Big-game performance: 7.

MARK: 29.5

“Roughy” has been an exceptional player for more than a decade and would rank much higher on a career assessment. Yet at 31, he remains Hawthorn’s most important forward in a side with an assortment of avenues to goal. His return to football after a life-threatening battle with melanoma was one of the stories of 2017, Roughy kicking 38 goals to push through the 500-goal barrier. Expect nothing less from him in 2018 as he was the only key forward last year to rate elite in disposals, clearances, ground-ball gets and tackles.

12. CHARLIE DIXON (Port Adel)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 6. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 7.

MARK: 29

It’s a toss-up between the marauding forward presence of Charlie Dixon and the wily genius of Robbie Gray. Gray is the better overall player, Dixon the more important from a pure forward sense. The once flaky Gold Coast forward finished second last year in Port’s best and fairest (Gray was fourth), was second in the comp for contested marks and kicked a career-high 49 goals. If not for his often wayward kicking for goal, he’d be almost the perfect package.

13. JESSE HOGAN (Melb)

Goal power: 8. Assists: 5.5. Leadership/structure: 8. Big-game performance: 7.

MARK: 28.5

Jesse Hogan might be about to serve a big slice of humble pie to his critics ... at the age of 23 and after the most turbulent year of his life. He could hit up teammates with more efficiency — he’s racked up just 24 assists in his past two years — but still averages two goals a game despite injuries, testicular cancer and his father’s passing. What Hogan does well is crash the packs for the smalls and clear space for the likes of Christian Petracca. Lots of improvement left, which is the scary part.

Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli loves kicking a goal. Pic: Michael Klein

14. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (WB)

Goal power: 5. Assists: 7. Leadership/structure: 7. Big-game performance: 9.

MARK: 28

No surprise the Bulldogs were one of the hardest clubs to assess in their forward structure or that Luke Beveridge looked to “The Bont” when things were bleak last year. Bontempelli was the go-to man when the goals dried up, rating elite for goals and above average in most other aspects of the game. He’s kicked 46 goals in the past two seasons — the same as Tiger Martin — and was forced to play forward more often last year as the Dogs lacked genuine firepower.

15. JACK BILLINGS (St Kilda)

Goal power: 5. Assists: 8. Leadership/structure: 8. Big-game performance: 5.

MARK: 26

If it hadn’t been for his sometimes wayward left-foot, we’d be talking about Jack Billings as a legitimate star. The Saints’ big three (Paddy McCartin, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey) capture all the chatter, but Billings is the club’s most important forward. He kicked 23.36 last year and was rated the best general forward for disposals, with his assists and score involvements ranked elite. Still 22, he’s on an upward trajectory and while he may have to spend more in the midfield, his uncanny ability and goal sense are an intoxicating mix.

Charlie Curnow is a rising star of the AFL. Pic: Getty Images

16. CHARLIE CURNOW (Carl)

Goal power: 4. Assists: 5. Leadership/structure: 9. Big-game performance: 7.

MARK: 25

Curnow slots in by dint of Carlton’s lack of forward options and his stunning potential as a future star. Yes, he has only 25 goals from 27 games, but he plays a huge role in the Blues’ front six given Levi Casboult still isn’t a regular goalkicker. And Curnow, 21 last month, is still years from hitting his physical peak. It’s going to be a heck of a lot of fun to watch the journey.

17. JAMIE ELLIOTT (Coll)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 4. Leadership/structure: 7.5. Big-game performance: 6.

MARK: 24.5

No pressure, Jamie, but it’s hard to see how Collingwood makes finals if this spring-heeled star doesn’t have a big year. There is a bit of boom or bust about Elliott. He had just 16 assists last year and is one of the worst pressure forwards in the competition, but when on song, there are few more attractive to watch. Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox provide the bash-and-crash work up forward but it’s Elliott who can turn a game on a dime.

18. ERIC HIPWOOD (Bris Lions)

Goal power: 7. Assists: 5. Leadership/structure: 7. Big-game performance: 5.

MARK: 24

Twenty-year-old Hipwood kicked 30 goals in 2017 — a strong return for someone so young in a struggling team. Greater consistency and more goal assists will come with time. On pure stats, he has kicked marginally more goals than Joe Daniher did from his first 30 games. The expectation on Hipwood is huge — especially with Josh Schache gone — but he looks a bona fide star in waiting.

Originally published as Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane name the best forwards in the AFL