SEN’s Dwayne Russell has ranked his Top 25 forwards in the AFL right now.
The former Port Adelaide and Geelong player has compiled his list based on who he believes to be the best forwards heading into season 2024.
He has taken into account what these players did in 2023 and previously, their age, their injury status and what he believes they are capable of in 2024.
See his list and explanations below:
1 - Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
“No Lance Franklin this year for the first time in a long time, but I still think Charlie Curnow would have been No.1 anyway,” he said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“81 goals last year. He is the new king, he’s got the world at his feet.
“I think he’ll have a good finals series this year.”
2 - Toby Greene (GWS)
“He can beat you multiple ways - in the air, on the ground, on the lead.
“He can beat you at stoppage as well. He scores a lot from being able to bamboozle those trying to follow him through stoppage.”
3 - Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
“At his best he could be No.1.
“He has been No.1 for periods of his career. I think he’ll bounce back this year.”
4 - Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
“He kicked 59 goals last season.
“I think he’s the best small forward in the competition.”
5 - Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
“He was back to his best last year.
“Not just consistent but reliable and accurate. He kicked 61 goals, 37 behinds.
“I like the new Joe Daniher.”
6 - Jesse Hogan (GWS)
“He’s showing why he was a priority draft pick.
“He’s matured now and he’s at the height of his powers. 49 goals last year.”
7 - Max King (St Kilda)
“Might be a little high for some and it might be a little speculative.
“The Saints fire and Max fires then it’s going to go a long way to Max being higher than seven come the end of this year.”
8 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Buldogs)
“Fingers crossed he continues to improve this year, but I think he’s a ripper.”
9 - Tom Lynch (Richmond)
“Tom Lynch is the one I’m slipping in if he’s injury-free.
“If he’s going to be missing games I wouldn’t have him in the Top 25.
“He’s too good to leave out if he’s going to be injury-free.”
10 - Oscar Allen (West Coast)
“West Coast won’t win many games, which is his problem, but I do think Allen is one of the rising stars of the comp.”
11 - Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
“He’s a year older, he’s nearing the end which is why he’s not Top 10 anymore.
“But he’s still a gun.”
12 - Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
“He’s got all the weapons, just needs to start kicking straighter.
“I think he could be the best centre half-forward in the comp. It depends on where ‘Bevo’ plays him.
“I think he’s a centre half-forward and hopefully he plays there.”
13 - Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
“He’s getting old but still kicked 76 goals last year.”
14 - Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
“He kicked 71 goals, 24 behinds last year.
“You don’t know how good he is until North get out of the bottom four and start rising.”
15 - Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
“Isaac Heeney I’ve got on trust at 15.
“I’m giving him one more chance to show consistency.”
16 - Brody Mihocek (Collingwood)
“Mr Reliable who needs recognition.
“He might not be one of the big names of the comp but he just plays pretty well every week.
“I’ve got to have him in my Top 20.”
17 - Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)
“It’s the chicken and the egg. If he’s good, then Hawthorn are going to be good. If Hawthorn’s good, then he’s going to be good.
“Mitch Lewis is going to have a big year.”
18 - Harry McKay (Carlton)
“I think he’s a centre half-forward.
“Hopefully he fixes his goal kicking.”
19 - Tom Papley (Sydney)
“He kicked 37 goals last season and he’s a very dangerous small forward who can play in the midfield.”
20 - Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
21 - Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
22 - Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
23 - Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide)
“I’m taking a punt on Charlie.
“I think he’s going to play full-forward all year now that Port have two ruckmen. He probably won’t have to ruck so he could be deeper.”
24 - Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
“He’s been too good for too long to leave out of the Top 25.
“He did fade a little last year, but still effective.”
25 - Kyle Langford (Essendon)
“Kicked 51 goals last season, ninth in the Coleman.”
Russell also named a group of younger forwards who he has just outside the Top 25 and could break in by the end of 2024.
Logan McDonald (Sydney)
Jye Amiss (Fremantle)
Jacob Van Rooyen (Melbourne)
Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide)
Ollie Henry (Geelong)
Ben King (Gold Coast)
