Can any forwards replicate Fraser Gehrig’s 2004 goal-kicking feats two decades later in 2024?
That was the question on SEN host Dwayne Russell’s mind as he wondered whether a player could reach 100 goals for the season during the finals series.
Gehrig famously kicked 103 goals across the ’04 campaign when he reached the triple-figures in a Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide. The former Saint kicked 90 goals in the home and away season and added 13 more in September.
After Charlie Curnow kicked 78 goals in the 2023 home and away season and with scoring looking set to go up, Russell thinks a forward has every chance of reaching 90 before finals before adding another 10 in September if their team can make a run.
He ranked the 10 players he thinks could achieve the feat in order on SEN Afternoons.
1 – Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
“Charlie Curnow is number one,” Russell said.
“He kicked 81.44 last season and I think he can do better than that with a good finals series.
“It’d be nice to get the 100-goal run on sometime during the finals like we did with Fraser Gehrig.”
2 – Jesse Hogan (GWS)
“Jesse Hogan, I think is two.
“I think he's going to be a stay-at-home full forward this year.
“He's in the prime of his career right now. He's committed now in a top team with Toby Greene taking some of the heat from him.
“I think he's the second-best chance of actually reaching the ton in the finals this year.”
3 – Max King (St Kilda)
“I've got Max King at three if the Saints play attacking football, and that's a big if.
“But if they play attacking football and Max King stands up and they get into a final or two, I think he's the third best chance of doing it.o”
4 – Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
“I don't see North Melbourne playing finals, but he could have a big home and away season.
“Jee if they could sneak in and get one final, it'd be Nick Larkey.
“He kicked 71.24 last season in a team that won three games. So if North Melbourne actually have a better season and win more than double that with a better midfield supply, I think he could kick 90-plus this season.
“He just won't kick the 100 in the finals because I don't think North Melbourne will get there.
“But I’ve got Nick Larkey at four.”
5 – Ben King (Gold Coast)
“Ben King I've got at five.
“Gold Coast have got the easiest draw of any team.
“Damien Harwick is now the coach and Ben could get far more supply and stay injury free.
“I think he could actually explode this season Ben King if he's as good as we think he is.”
6 – Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
“At six I've got Taylor Walker who kicked 76 goals last year.
“He's getting older, but the Crows should also improve and he's a stay-at-home full forward.
“So, he's a massive chance to do it because if you're a stay-at-home full forward, you get more chances.”
7 – Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
“Joe Daniher, I’ve got at seven.
“He kicked 61.37 last season, Joe Daniher. He was playing up at centre half forward and rucking at times last year, but the Lions will be finalists and he might play three or four finals.
“If Joe stays closer to goal, I reckon look out, he could be the next guy.”
8 – Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
“I do have Jeremy Cameron at eight.
“If he plays close to goal for the Cats, he could threaten 90, but I'm not sure if the Cats are going to play him that close to goal and Tom Hawkins is fit right now.
“So, it's likely that Tom Hawkins will line up at full forward for their Round 1 clash.”
9 – Tom Lynch (Richmond)
“I've got Tom Lynch, he has kicked in the sixties three times in his career, and he is coming back from injury and he's probably going to miss Round 1 but he will miss Opening Round, but he should be back for Round 1.
“Can the Tigers play finals? Maybe it's a stretch for Tom Lynch, but I've got him in the top 10 anyway.”
10 – Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide)
“Charlie Dixon, if he stays injury-free.
“If Ivan Soldo rucks all year then as a stay-at-home forward Dixon might be a chance.”
