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<\/a><\/p>\nBig forwards and finals go together like oil and water.<\/p>\n
But we don\u2019t really hear that too often, do we?<\/p>\n
Joe Daniher kind of bucked the system the last couple of years when he stood up in Grand Finals, but really, his best return for a finals series was ten. That was in 2023.<\/p>\n
People often lament the way the AFL and its media talk up the midfielders, but more often than not, they are the ones standing up in September. The big forwards\u2026 they are more akin to playing the role of best supporting actor.<\/p>\n
As we head into the 2025 AFL Final series, we will some big names of bog boys splashed across our TV screens, newspapers (if anyone still reads them), and phones. Names like Riley Thilthorpe look like the type that can take a game over and kick a bag. Jeremy Cameron has turned back the clock in 2025, and is still eyeing the ton. And meanwhile, if the Dogs get there, the combination of Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton will be a handful. Then there are blokes like Jesse Hogan, Ben King, or even Jack Gunston, who will all be hovering around September action.<\/p>\n
But how much of a handful can they really be?<\/p>\n
History tells us that forwards rarely take over a final to the level we hope. In the history of the V\/AFL, you don\u2019t need to take your socks off to count the number of times a forward has hit double figure goals in finals games. And yet, we pin our hopes on these guys to break the shackles and actually do something special, don\u2019t we?<\/p>\n
I know I still do.<\/p>\n
Of course, bags of ten or more are now harder to come by than a federal budget in surplus, but if you\u2019re a fan of Adelaide, the Dogs, the Suns, the Giants, or the Cats, you\u2019d be looking at this coming September and wondering\u2026 what if our bloke really gets off the chain?<\/p>\n
Speaking of getting off the chain, the entire purpose of this article is to look at the players that have put it all together for an entire finals series, up forward.<\/p>\n
Unlike many of these types of articles, I came in thinking that this would probably favour players who have slotted in over the last 20 years, given the expanded finals system and the opportunity to play four finals.<\/p>\n
And just to prove that I should never go with my gut\u2026 it did not play out that way, at all.<\/p>\n
This list is far from exhaustive. I\u2019m sitting here, coughing and sneezing after my kids have generously shared another illness with me (thanks kids\u2026 grrrr), and I\u2019ve done about as much searching through stats as I feel like doing, so if you have any more to add, please feel free to do so.<\/p>\n
Until you do, here are some of the big finals series performers in V\/AFL history<\/p>\n
26 goals in the 1989 Final Series \u2013 Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
\n23 goals in the 1939 Finals Series \u2013 Ron Todd (Collingwood)
\n21 goals in the 1980 Finals Series \u2013 Kevin Bartlett (Richmond)
\n21 goals in the 1932 Finals Series \u2013 Harry Vallence (Carlton)
\n18 goals in the 1992 Finals Series \u2013 Peter Sumich (West Coast)
\n18 goals in the 1938 Finals Series \u2013 Ron Todd (Collingwood)
\n17 goals in the 1991 Finals Series \u2013 Peter Sumich (West Coast)
\n17 goals in the 1967 Finals Series \u2013 Doug Wade (Geelong)
\n16 goals in the 1992 Finals Series \u2013 Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
\n16 goals in the 1994 Finals Series \u2013 Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
\n16 goals in the 1978 Finals Series \u2013 Michael Moncrieff (Hawthorn)
\n16 goals in the 1937 Finals Series \u2013 Gordon Coventry (Collingwood)
\n15 goals in the 1970 Finals Series \u2013 Peter McKenna (Collingwood)
\n15 goals in the 2000 Finals Series \u2013 Matthew Lloyd (Essendon)
\n15 goals in the 1994 Finals Series \u2013 Garry Lyon (Melbourne)
\n15 goals in the 1951 Finals Series \u2013 George Gonninon (Geelong)
\n15 goals in the 1970 Finals Series \u2013 Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton)
\n15 goals in the 1972 Finals Series \u2013 Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the record, Joe Daniher\u2019s biggest September was in 2023, when he managed ten goals. As for Jeremy Cameron and his chase of the century, maybe keep this in mind \u2013 his best September return over the course of his career is nine, back in 2019. And for those wondering, Buddy Franklin\u2019s best finals series saw him kick 12. That was in 2014 for the Swans. Tom Hawkins? Just eight.<\/p>\n
That Ablett fella went okay, huh? Sadly, aside from that epic \u201989 Grand Final, he didn\u2019t have that second huge Grand Final output, which would have made his two 16-goal campaigns just that bit higher, and may have earned him a flag.<\/p>\n
So, what does a list like this tell us<\/p>\n
Well, it tells us the game has changed, quite drastically, too. There is now no room to move for forwards inside 50 for these big blokes. Team defences are so much better, and in finals, you\u2019re not getting to beat up on the dud teams like so many do during the home and away season.<\/p>\n
It tells us some other stuff, as well.<\/p>\n
I did not expect to see Peter Sumich appearing on this list twice. I think I am among the many people that have forgotten how good he was during those early runs toward their first two flags for the Eagles. And he wasn\u2019t even all that accurate! Those Eagles teams were brilliant to watch. He also had 14 goals in the 1990 finals, as well.<\/p>\n
For the Hawks, I didn\u2019t expect Gladys Moncrieff to be the bloke topping the list for them. When you consider you had Dunstall (13), Brereton (14), or Lethal (14) to be at the top of the pile.<\/p>\n
Dusty had 12 in 2019, whilst Peter McKenna\u2019s listed 15 snags in 1970 came in only two games.<\/p>\n
So, there we go. As I said, I don\u2019t believe this is a complete list, and I am happy for people to add names to it as they read \u2013 I am sure I missed a few on the way through.<\/p>\n
Can one of the big fellas in the 2025 Finals Series take the next step and play three or four big games to get their team over the line? Or are we now restricted to moments where they make a difference, and that\u2019s about all?<\/p>\n
And if you can see one of them making a massive impact and kicking 15+, who do you think it is going to be?<\/p>\n
Me, I think the one flying under the radar is Ben King. I\u2019ve been harsh on him, but if the Suns play three finals, he is highly capable of having 15 to his name.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely\u2026 thank you \u2013 HB<\/p>\n
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee \u2013 I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won\u2019t use it to buy a doughnut\u2026 I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes\u2026 or Bet365, or any of them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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