Best Forward After Lance Franklin

[Lunchtime]

There's no doubt Lance Franklin is the best forward of the past 20 years - his record speaks for itself.

But who is the best forward, or should I say Key Position Forward after Franklin?

The general talk was that it was out of these three great players (no particular order):

Tom Hawkins

26

Tom Hawkins

Age

37

Ht

197cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

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Last 5

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12.2

3star

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7.9

3star

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4.4

3star

M

5.5

5star

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1.9

4star

G

2.1

5star

D

12.7

3star

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8.6

3star

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4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

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2.1

3star

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1.6

5star

D

7.8

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5.6

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2.2

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4.2

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1.0

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2.2

5star

796 goals, 359 games (ave = 2.21)

Jack Riewoldt
787 goals, 347 games (ave = 2.26)

Josh Kennedy
723 goals, 293 games (ave = 2.46)

But now another player I think should be acknowledged - Jeremy Cameron

5

Jeremy Cameron

Age

32

Ht

196cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.5

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.6

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

2.0

5star

.

He currently has 731 goals from 277 games, averages 2.63 goals per game. He has kicked 83 goals in 2025 to end the Home & Away season and has won the Coleman medal (his second Coleman). We will see how many goals he can kick during the Finals series.

There is a very valid case that Jeremy is on track to being the best Key Position Forward outside Lance Franklin.

Discuss.

 

[RUNVS]

I think it is Kennedy, but it is very fine lines to be honest.

 

[Lunchtime]

I think it is Kennedy, but it is very fine lines to be honest.

Josh Kennedy
293 games
723 goals
6x 50+ goals in a season
Most goals: 82 (2016)
2x Coleman medal

He also kicked in the 80 goals range twice - 80 in 2015 and 82 in 2016.

But you're right its very close between all if them and with Cameron entering the discussion, it makes it more difficult.

 

[HTPunter]

I think any one of those 4 would be very fair arguments.

For me personally I’d take Hawkins as the 2nd.

He has been the best inside 50 ruck. Significantly more goal assists than the others (~50 more than Riewoldt, 150 more than Kennedy), and best contested mark of the lot too.

100 goals in a season is 100 goals, but let’s be honest, Hawkins was never the type to take goalsquare handballs or wrap around a teammate who marked 20 out to try get to a milestone like Jez is doing. I appreciate he’s a gun but Geelong have been fortunate to be in a position against some pretty terrible teams where they can look for Cameron unnecessarily at times. So simply kicking 100 wouldn’t bring him ahead of Hawkins for me simply because that’s not who Hawkins was.

 

[Chaisa]

At this point it's clearly Jezza.

 

[Nugett]

Bit harsh on Jarryd Roughhead not being mentioned. 573 goals. Was the Coleman medalist in 2013, playing alongside Franklin. In 2008

Kicked 43 final goals, was equaled third in the Coleman in 2008, with Daniel Bradshaw

Daniel Bradshaw

Age

47

Ht

190cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.0

5star

with 75 goals , with Buddy winning with 113 and Fev kicking 99.

Roughie I think is often undervalued, due to his partnership with Franklin for half his career. If he was drafted to another team, where he would have been more of a focal point, think he would have more recognition than what he gets.

 

[Mr Meow]

There's no doubt Lance Franklin is the best forward of the past 20 years - his record speaks for itself.

But who is the best forward, or should I say Key Position Forward after Franklin?

The general talk was that it was out of these three great players (no particular order):

Tom Hawkins
796 goals, 359 games (ave = 2.21)

Jack Riewoldt
787 goals, 347 games (ave = 2.26)

Josh Kennedy
723 goals, 293 games (ave = 2.46)

But now another player I think should be acknowledged - Jeremy Cameron.

He currently has 731 goals from 277 games, averages 2.63 goals per game. He has kicked 83 goals in 2025 to end the Home & Away season and has won the Coleman medal (his second Coleman). We will see how many goals he can kick during the Finals series.

There is a very valid case that Jeremy is on track to being the best Key Position Forward outside Lance Franklin.

Discuss.

It's an interesting discussion.

Despite playing further up the field, Cameron is a bit more like Kennedy in that he doesn't dish quite as many off to teammates. Riewoldt, and especially Hawkins, were strong in terms of goal assists for large parts of their careers. These two also had such excellent forward craft with tap ons, groundballs etc.

Kennedy and Cameron a bit more reliant on their athletic gifts and standout physical attributes.

Hawkins had to adapt significantly after his early career back issues and basically couldn't jump for the last 10 years he played. He wasn't that quick either. But his bodywork, leading patterns and reading of the game were top notch.

Riewoldt adapted his game significantly in his veteran years, plus blended in with Richmond's chaos ball brilliantly. Like Cotchin, less of a "star" compared to earlier years, but still a difference maker.

Finals-wise, Cameron made a crucial difference in the only close Geelong final of the 2022 flag, the QF against Collingwood. Hawkins did the same in the 2011 GF and had many strong efforts other years, but some quiet ones when our forward line was useless. Kennedy was big in the 2018 flag run. Riewoldt wasn't really required to do too much during Richmond's flag finals. His best season during the dynasty was 2018, the one in between. Romped it in during the massacre of GWS in 2019.

Score involvement averages: Hawkins > Cameron > Kennedy > Riewoldt

Cameron dominating a finals series on the way to another flag would likely put him ahead. He's had some quieter finals and finals series over the years, although that's true of basically all key forwards in the modern era.

 

[Lingsface]

Jezza now Darcy later.

 

[demondavey]

Has to be Nick Daicos, surely?

 

[RUNVS]

Bit harsh on Jarryd Roughhead not being mentioned. 573 goals. Was the Coleman medalist in 2013, playing alongside Franklin. In 2008

Kicked 43 final goals, was equaled third in the Coleman in 2008, with Daniel Bradshaw with 75 goals , with Buddy winning with 113 and Fev kicking 99.

Roughie I think is often undervalued, due to his partnership with Franklin for half his career. If he was drafted to another team, where he would have been more of a focal point, think he would have more recognition than what he gets.

I don't think it is a bit harsh on Roughead. He was a very good player, but he wasn't at the level of Franklin or the other 4 being discussed. He was probably one tier below the Kennedy/Hawkins/Riewoldt/Cameron tier, which doesn't mean he was a bad player, being one tier below those guys is still very respectable.

 

[demondavey]

So hard to split Riewoldt, Kennedy, Hawkins and now Cameron.

If I had to pick one I’d go Hawkins. Best contested mark, lots of assists. Very big boy playing in the modern era, would be at home in any decade really.

 

[Mr Meow]

Bit harsh on Jarryd Roughhead not being mentioned. 573 goals. Was the Coleman medalist in 2013, playing alongside Franklin. In 2008

Kicked 43 final goals, was equaled third in the Coleman in 2008, with Daniel Bradshaw with 75 goals , with Buddy winning with 113 and Fev kicking 99.

Roughie I think is often undervalued, due to his partnership with Franklin for half his career. If he was drafted to another team, where he would have been more of a focal point, think he would have more recognition than what he gets.

If you just took each players 8 best years as a focus, then Roughead stacks up really well.

What hurts him is his 2011 half season due to injury, 2012 wasn't brilliant, 2016 he misses with cancer and then his return 3 years - while admirable - only generated 87 goals. A victim of circumstance, despite still playing 283 games. With a better run that would have been 350 games and another 150+ goals added to the tally.

 

[Mofra]

Pure numbers may not tell the tale - like Buddy, Jezza plays a bit higher up the field and covers more ground.
That would give him the nod for me, just over Kennedy.

It certainly helps the team a bit if a player can work up to the wing and provide an option to move the ball out of defence.

 

[demondavey]

Bit harsh on Jarryd Roughhead not being mentioned. 573 goals. Was the Coleman medalist in 2013, playing alongside Franklin. In 2008

Kicked 43 final goals, was equaled third in the Coleman in 2008, with Daniel Bradshaw with 75 goals , with Buddy winning with 113 and Fev kicking 99.

Roughie I think is often undervalued, due to his partnership with Franklin for half his career. If he was drafted to another team, where he would have been more of a focal point, think he would have more recognition than what he gets.

If Melbourne had a Jarryd Roughead we’d have won in 22 and 23.

Force.

Performance in the 2014 GF was sheer piggery. Probably should have won the norm.

Peg below statistically than the names mentioned but finals impact was scary.

 

[RUNVS]

Pure numbers may not tell the tale - like Buddy, Jezza plays a bit higher up the field and covers more ground.
That would give him the nod for me, just over Kennedy.

It certainly helps the team a bit if a player can work up to the wing and provide an option to move the ball out of defence.

Not too relevant to the discussion as such but when creating a team of the 2010 to 2019 period, I always have Hawkins in the team, not because he is better than the others, but because Buddy is going to be in that team, and I feel like out of all the players listed Hawkins would be the best fit for being in the same forward line as Buddy as Buddy could roam around and Hawkins can play the more traditional Full Forward position, so they could both rely on their strengths without getting in each others way. I feel like if Buddy and Cameron were in the same team they would both sort of get in each others way sometimes.

 

[Mofra]

Not too relevant to the discussion as such but when creating a team of the 2010 to 2019 period, I always have Hawkins in the team, not because he is better than the others, but because Buddy is going to be in that team, and I feel like out of all the players listed Hawkins would be the best fit for being in the same forward line as Buddy as Buddy could roam around and Hawkins can play the more traditional Full Forward position, so they could both rely on their strengths without getting in each others way. I feel like if Buddy and Cameron were in the same team they would both sort of get in each others way sometimes.

Hawkins certainly would compliment Buddy better, and is possibly the best F50 throw in ruckman as well which the other forwards can't do anywhere near as well.

I feel like Jezza is pretty versatile though - can play deep, high, and even that roaming 3rd type around a traditional FF & CHF.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Cameron for me. Though he plays a different style to Kennedy and Hawkins in particular - and when it's fine margins you pick based on style of player you want.

IMO Cameron could play alongside any other KPF, whilst I think players like Hawkins and Kennedy would not be as compatible. Cameron can play as the sole target or as foil for a traditional KPF like Hawkins.

When we revisit this discussion in several years time it will be Darcy.

 

[Lunchtime]

It's an interesting discussion.

Despite playing further up the field, Cameron is a bit more like Kennedy in that he doesn't dish quite as many off to teammates. Riewoldt, and especially Hawkins, were strong in terms of goal assists for large parts of their careers. These two also had such excellent forward craft with tap ons, groundballs etc.

Kennedy and Cameron a bit more reliant on their athletic gifts and standout physical attributes.

Hawkins had to adapt significantly after his early career back issues and basically couldn't jump for the last 10 years he played. He wasn't that quick either. But his bodywork, leading patterns and reading of the game were top notch.

Riewoldt adapted his game significantly in his veteran years, plus blended in with Richmond's chaos ball brilliantly. Like Cotchin, less of a "star" compared to earlier years, but still a difference maker.

Finals-wise, Cameron made a crucial difference in the only close Geelong final of the 2022 flag, the QF against Collingwood. Hawkins did the same in the 2011 GF and had many strong efforts other years, but some quiet ones when our forward line was useless. Kennedy was big in the 2018 flag run. Riewoldt wasn't really required to do too much during Richmond's flag finals. His best season during the dynasty was 2018, the one in between. Romped it in during the massacre of GWS in 2019.

Score involvement averages: Hawkins > Cameron > Kennedy > Riewoldt

Cameron dominating a finals series on the way to another flag would likely put him ahead. He's had some quieter finals and finals series over the years, although that's true of basically all key forwards in the modern era.

Finals

Kennedy
Games: 17
Goals: 40
Behinds: 26
No Score: 13
Shots on Goal: 79
Goal Accuracy: 50.6%
Possessions: 203
Goal Average: 2.3
Possessions Average: 11.9
Goal Assist: 5
Goal Assist Average: 0.2

Riewoldt
Games: 16
Goals: 33
Behinds: 21
No Score: 6
Shots on Goal: 60
Goal Accuracy: 55.0%
Possessions: 162
Goal Average: 2.0
Possessions Average: 10.1
Goal Assist: 7
Goal Assist Average: 0.4

Cameron
Games: 17
Goals: 33
Behinds: 31
No Score: 9
Shots on Goal: 73
Goal Accuracy: 45.2%
Possessions: 231
Goal Average: 1.9
Possessions Average: 13.5
Goal Assist: 10
Goal Assist Average: 0.5

 Hawkins
Games: 32
Goals: 56
Behinds: 46
No Score: 12
Shots on Goal: 114
Goal Accuracy: 49.1%
Possessions: 380
Goal Average: 1.7
Possessions Average: 11.8
Goal Assist: 18
Goal Assist Average: 0.5


No score includes: out of bounds/out on the full, not making distance etc

 

[RUNVS]

Finals

Kennedy
Games: 17
Goals: 40
Behinds: 26
No Score: 13
Shots on Goal: 79
Goal Accuracy: 50.6%
Possessions: 203
Goal Average: 2.3
Possessions Average: 11.9
Goal Assist: 5
Goal Assist Average: 0.2

Riewoldt
Games: 16
Goals: 33
Behinds: 21
No Score: 6
Shots on Goal: 60
Goal Accuracy: 55.0%
Possessions: 162
Goal Average: 2.0
Possessions Average: 10.1
Goal Assist: 7
Goal Assist Average: 0.4

Cameron
Games: 17
Goals: 33
Behinds: 31
No Score: 9
Shots on Goal: 73
Goal Accuracy: 45.2%
Possessions: 231
Goal Average: 1.9
Possessions Average: 13.5
Goal Assist: 10
Goal Assist Average: 0.5

 Hawkins
Games: 32
Goals: 56
Behinds: 46
No Score: 12
Shots on Goal: 114
Goal Accuracy: 49.1%
Possessions: 380
Goal Average: 1.7
Possessions Average: 11.8
Goal Assist: 18
Goal Assist Average: 0.5


No score includes: out of bounds/out on the full, not making distance etc

I think percentage of score would be better than their goal tally to be honest.

Means that any key forward who was part of a team that smashed another team in a final is not given an unfair advantage.

 

[Percel]

So hard to split Riewoldt, Kennedy, Urch, Hawkins and now Cameron.

If I had to pick one I’d go Hawkins. Best contested mark, lots of assists. Very big boy playing in the modern era, would be at home in any decade really.

Fixed

 

[Nugett]

I don't think it is a bit harsh on Roughead. He was a very good player, but he wasn't at the level of Franklin or the other 4 being discussed. He was probably one tier below the Kennedy/Hawkins/Riewoldt/Cameron tier, which doesn't mean he was a bad player, being one tier below those guys is still very respectable.

If Kennedy/Hawkins/Reiwoldt or Cameron played beside Buddy, do you think that they would have delivered the same output? Or would they have dropped down a tier? my personal opinion is that Roughhead gets overlooked because of that reason.

The Buddy/Rough combo worked so well, was that Buddy could roam up the wing or half forward. while Roughy stayed home. Or Roughy would move in to the midfield, wing or ruck and Bud would stay home. They really did have great chemistry together.

 

[demondavey]

Fixed

Just give him the Brownlow this year!

 

[rye]

oscar allen

12

Oscar Allen

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

as of 20 minutes ago

 

[Handsuper47]

It's a very narrow margin depending on what you want, Riewoldt played a lot further up the ground and sacrificed a lot of his own gameplay just to benefit the team, while also being a highlight in some truly woeful Richmond sides - Hawkins though, was clutch as hell in close games + finals and the Cats don't win the 2011 Grand Final without him. I haven't watched enough of Kennedy and Cameron to comment on them.

 

[RUNVS]

If Kennedy/Hawkins/Reiwoldt or Cameron played beside Buddy, do you think that they would have delivered the same output? Or would they have dropped down a tier? my personal opinion is that Roughhead gets overlooked because of that reason.

The Buddy/Rough combo worked so well, was that Buddy could roam up the wing or half forward. while Roughy stayed home. Or Roughy would move in to the midfield, wing or ruck and Bud would stay home. They really did have great chemistry together.

Yes, I think Hawkins especially would have complemented Buddy very very well. Two different playing styles so they would not have gotten in each others way.