Brendon Goddard ranks every AFL forward line from 1-18
It looks good on paper, with superstar Eddie Betts joining Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow. But how good will Carlton’s forward line be in reality? According to Brendon Goddard, there are plenty better. See his full 1-18 rankings.
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The unmatched balance of Richmond’s premiership forward like makes it the envy of the AFL’s 17 other clubs, according to former Saint and Bomber Brendon Goddard.
Goddard has the reigning premier at No. 1 on his list of the league’s best forward lines, with Dustin Martin the X-Factor when he swings forward from midfield as he did on Grand Final day.
But there is no shortage of contenders for the Tigers’ mantle.
Brisbane Lions emerged as one of the most competition’s lethal forward mixes and Chris Fagan’s side is on the rise, while GWS Giants’ three-pronged attack of Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg is potent.
Goddard expects one of his former clubs Essendon will be vindicated for holding Joe Daniher to the last year of his contract if he regains full fitness, tipping the spearhead could kick 50-60 goals in 2020.
Goddard says: Lynch and Riewoldt are the best key-position duo in the competition and were a key cog in the push to another Richmond premiership last season. However, the Tigers’ forward line has more ammo than just those two. There is a great balance between the talls and smalls and the speed of the Richmond smalls is a standout with the likes of Bolton, Higgins, Rioli and Lambert. The X-Factor is when Dustin Martin gets thrown into the mix. He’s the best one-on-one player in the game when afforded time and space.
MORE FROM GODDARD’S 1-18 SERIES:
Midfields 1-18: Why Magpies are not No.1
Defences 1-18: Can anyone rival the Tigers?
Rucks 1-18: Are Cats’ big man stocks the worst in the AFL?
Goddard says: Hard to pass a forward line that contains the reigning Coleman Medal winner, Cameron. Fellow talls Himmelberg and Finlayson should benefit from another year in the forward line and will hopefully add greater consistency to their games. Greene is in the Dustin Martin conversation when he is forward and given time and space. Plus, given the Giants’ depth of talent in the midfielder there is often one or two on-ballers resting forward which only adds to the group. The Giants just need to work on improving their forward pressure to keep the ball in there.
Goddard says: The Lions were the highest scoring team in the AFL last season, averaging 91 points a game. The Lions brigade of small forwards are particularly damaging and ever effective, led by Cameron with a support case of Christensen, Rayner and McCarthy. I’d expect Hipwood and McStay to find some real consistency in 2020, which will only add to Brisbane’s goalkicking power.
Goddard says: The Magpies have some issues with their key forward stocks, but they’ve got every other base covered and have shown they can play small and still kick a winning score. I don’t think Cox can be the A-Grader that they need but if he can replicate what he did two years ago he can certainly play as a second tall forward and provide the option for the get-out kick. Full seasons out of De Goey and Stephenson in 2020 will help enormously, the pair a big part of the most damaging small forward brigade in the competition. If Reid can get his body right and find some continuity, he could once again become an important tall option.
Goddard says: The Cats were the second-highest scoring team in the competition last season and, importantly, were the most efficient team at scoring once inside-50. The forward group, like the team, dropped off a little in the second half of the year but still have the potential to be the best forward line in the competition in 2020. Gary Ablett is now 35 but still kicked 34 goals last season, while Ratugolea’s development is a major positive but he might end up spending more time in the ruck next season. If Adelaide recruit Jenkins can play as a legitimate second tall forward to Hawkins and have an impact, the Cats will be a scary proposition for opposition teams next season.
Goddard says: A proven, star-studded forward line which ranked fifth for both total scores and scoring once inside-50 last season. The loss of Willie Rioli to an ASADA suspension will hurt them, but the combination of Darling and Kennedy is still up there with the best. Kennedy was down on form and fitness last season, but I believe he still has some good footy in front of him. Allen is an exciting developing tall who will only get better. Then the Eagles have a strong fleet of smalls in Ryan, Cripps, Cameron and Petruccelle.
Goddard says: The addition of St Kilda recruit Josh Bruce could quite easily mean a 40-goal injection for the Bulldogs, who already ranked as the third-highest scoring team last season. Bruce kicked 36 goals for the Saints last season but has kicked as many as 50 goals in a season, which he achieved in 2015. Naughton booted 32 goals in his first year as a forward last season and is in line to be one of the best key forward in the game by the end of 2020. If there’s room for improvement for the Bulldogs it’s improving their forward pressure.
Goddard says: The key for the Bombers is the fitness and continuity of two of their stars in Daniher and Fantasia. If fully fit, Daniher could kick 50 to 60 goals next season. McKernan has become an important cog and blossomed in the absence of Daniher last season. Essendon would be looking for McDonald-Tipungwuti and Stringer to build on solid 2019 seasons and improve their consistency.
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Goddard says: Star power still stands out for me when I look at Hawthorn’s forward line with the experienced and talented trio of Gunston, Breust and Wingard. Greater Western Sydney recruit and former No. 1 draft pick Patton is the great unknown but could prove a surprise packet returning from a year on the sidelines with an ACL. The development of Lewis last year was a real positive and the Hawks would be hoping he can kick on. But I just feel there is bit of a lack of depth.
Goddard says: The Kangaroos’ key forward stocks are in good order, with Brown having finished runner-up in the Coleman Medal last season and Larkey having shown great promise as an up-and-coming Rising Star nominee. Thomas is an excitement machine who displayed plenty of tricks in his debut season last year, while Zurhaar is a quality all-round mid-sized forward. Maybe 2020 will be the year Wood steps up and becomes the player we all thought he would be.
Goddard says: Hard to put a forward line containing Buddy Franklin any lower than this. But that is also part of the problem for the Swans – it’s all about Franklin. Can Reid perform consistently in a key post for a full campaign next season? I think Blakey is wasted as a permanent forward and would be better suited on the wing or as a high half-forward. The future is there for the Swans, though, with Hayward and McCartin showing plenty of promise and Papley continues to perform.
Goddard says: I wouldn’t be surprised if Carlton’s forward line proved me wrong and proved better than this ranking if they stay full fit, because there is potential there. Curnow and McGovern missed large chunks of last season but their returns should help lighten the load on McKay and make him a better player. I think Adelaide recruit Betts can still play some good footy at age 33.
Goddard says: The combination of Rising Star nominee Rozee and experienced top-line star Gray makes for a daunting prospect for opposition sides. Butters is a growing into an impressive player and Marshall has shown good signs. However, Dixon needs to find continuity and play the majority of the year for the Power to be successful not only as a forward group but also as a team.
Goddard says: The Demons are still crying out for a key forward, which I think Weideman will be but it has taken a bit longer than we expected. I don’t think he will be an A-Grader, but a lot of the pressure right now falls onto him. McDonald is a better player when he had Weideman and former teammate Jesse Hogan in the team. He needs someone else to step up and take the pressure off him as being the main key position target. The Demons were the second-lowest scoring team in the competition last season so there is certainly room for improvement.
Goddard says: Continuity and fitness will be the key for the Dockers. Brandon Matera played the most games of any of their forwards last season with 20 and only one other player featured in more than 12 games. Hogan kicked 47 goals for Melbourne when he played a full season in 2018 so if he can get himself fit and back in form that will be big. Taberner has shown plenty of promise but has also been restricted by injury. When Michael Walters plays more midfield time the Dockers do appear to lack an A-Grade small forward. But overall, there is a bit of upside there if the forward group can stay healthy.
Goddard says: The loss of 36 goals in the form of Josh Bruce who departed for the Western Bulldogs during the trade period hurts, as does the news McCartin won’t play next year due to his ongoing concussion issues. That leaves a heavy reliance on Membrey and highly-rated second-year key forward Max King. The Saints ranked 14th for scores for last season.
Goddard says: Fogarty’s finish to last season was positive, but there is still a heavy reliance on Walker and Lynch after the losses of Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts during the trade period. Who replaces Betts’ star power and goalkicking ability? Knight? Gallucci? Stengle? Murphy? Jones?
18. Gold Coast Suns
Goddard says: Sexton was clearly the Suns’ best forward last year and played the most games to lead the club’s goalkicking with 39 majors. King showed us glimpses of what he’s capable of and the Suns will be hoping he can step things up in his second season. Wright needs to do more and play a consistent role across the season. Rankine was pick 3 in the 2018 national draft and promises plenty but did not play at AFL level last year due to injury. There is a bit of talent there, but they are young and inexperienced.