The Coleman Medal is ruled by the forwards manning the key position posts, and they are absolutely crucial to team structure.
Here I reveal the big three forwards for the 2015 season, ultimately the players that I view most important to their sides.
1. Lance Franklin
Many view Franklin as the best tall forward since Wayne Carey, alongside Matthew Lloyd and Nick Riewoldt. He has kicked over 60 goals in every season since 2007 and that doesn’t look like it’s about to change.
After the Swans’ dismal grand final showing last year, Buddy is one of the few who could justifiably hold his head high based on his performance. He had 14 disposals, 5 marks, kicked 4 goals and 2 behinds, contributing to 35 per cent of Sydney’s team total.
He will build on that, playing to Buddy standard from the get go in 2015, and will be Sydney’s driving force to get back in the winners’ circle.
2. Tom Hawkins
Hawkins almost single-handedly forced Geelong into a preliminary final last year against North Melbourne, kicking three goals in the final 10 minutes, and two goals in the final minute of the first term to trim North Melbourne’s margin from 30 points to just 18.
He’s got great consistency, kicking three or more goals in 16 of his 24 matches, and going goalless just twice last year. While many predict Geelong to fall (as they do year after year), Hawkins’ presence in the forward line will be enormous once again, and as their only proven key forward, will decide whether Geelong can maintain their spot in the top four.
3. Jeremy Cameron
After an injury interrupted 2014 campaign, Cameron is back and ready to go. Cameron recently signed a five-year deal worth around $4 million and has cemented a future at Greater Western Sydney. As such, the Giants will be looking at 2015 as the year that they step up and escape the bottom four.
With Tom Boyd leaving the club after one season and Jonathon Patton battling knee issues, Cameron will be heavily relied on this season, but will have a fantastic midfield kicking to him.
If Cameron can replicate his form of 2013, the club are a huge chance of finishing between 8th and 12th.
Some may say Jarryd Roughead is a notable omission but Hawthorn have an excellent forward structure as a team, with Jack Gunston, David Hale, Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli. As such they don’t rely on Roughead as much as the other teams do with their key forwards.
Franklin will have yet another brilliant season and will cement his claim as the best forward of his generation, while Cameron is only just beginning a career that seems destined for greatness.
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