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.
Jack
Roar Pro
"You're wrong though, Cameron was pretty ordinary last year". It was a simple reply to that, the article wasn't about 2014, it's about 2015. If anything I'd say you have the issue here, judging by your other comments on the site you have a problem with anything anti-Fremantle and the exclusion of Pavlich got on your nerves. I'm kindly going to ask you to end the s*** fight you seem so intent on. Thanks.
Don Freo
Guest
" If you had read it instead of skimming through just to see the names of players from clubs in the Eastern states, and going straight to your frustrated response you would see that." That's your issue.
Jack
Roar Pro
I'm not having an issue, not sure where you're getting that from? I've got another opinion from you and we're having a discussion about it based on our opinions which is something I enjoy, that's as far as this goes, I'm not claiming to be correct, everything mentioned in the article and my comments are simply my viewpoint.
Don Freo
Guest
You're the one taking issue with a divergent opinion. Surely that's what you hoped to generate. Justin Chadwick contributes too but he never gets many comments. The reason is that no one disagrees with him. He's always on the money. At least you have got a response.
Jack
Roar Pro
There isn't anything in my comment suggesting that I'm expecting blanket agreement. You believe Pavlich will win the Coleman and Fremantle will finish on top? I think that Franklin will win the Coleman and Hawthorn will finish on top. It's the art of opinions, everybody has one. I think you mean "doesn't" regarding Walker. And I disagree completely with that. Josh Jenkins kicked 40 goals last year while Betts kicked 51. Tex didn't play until round 9, at round 8 Adelaide were 11th on the ladder with 3 wins and 4 losses and a bye (they could've been higher then 11th, they had played a game less). I don't think they'll finish bottom without him. Josh Kennedy, your best full forward in the comp, is yet to win an AA selection and has never finished top 3 in the total goals kicked in any given year. While a good player, it's simply my opinion that these 3 in the article will have bigger and better years. And while you tell me not to expect blanket agreement, one of your first posts on the article is "You're wrong, though". I'm afraid neither of us are wrong, and neither of us are correct until the season is completed, perhaps we'll revisit this article at seasons end and compare Buddy/Hawkins/Cameron to Pavlich/Kennedy/Walker.
Don Freo
Guest
Jack, if you post an article, you needn't expect blanket agreement. I have suggested leading into this season why I think Pavlich will have a Coleman winning season and that it is one of the factors why Freo will finish clear on top. If Walker does fire, Adelaide will be on the bottom. He is that important. Kennedy is simply the best FF in the comp.
Jack
Roar Pro
This is not an article about how the best forwards were last year. If you had read it instead of skimming through just to see the names of players from clubs in the Eastern states, and going straight to your frustrated response you would see that. This article is previewing my thoughts on the big 3 forwards for season 2015, who will have the most important or biggest impact in the coming season, not how they went last season, which is why Cameron features on this list. He had an injury interrupted 2014 but his 2013 was magnificent, and I'm banking on him to return to AA form.
Don Freo
Guest
You're wrong, though. Cameron was pretty ordinary last year.
Jack
Roar Pro
I don't rate any of them in the top 3 of the most important forwards this year. Walker is very close but I have these three ahead of him. It has nothing to do with which clubs they play for, these players are just the standout 'Big 3' for the coming season for mine.
Don Freo
Guest
Pavlich. Kennedy. Tex Walker. Do you guys ever look west?
Jack
Roar Pro
No doubt Clark is talented but he is still very much unproven in the Geelong line up (he did well in the NAB Cup but is no certainty to replicate form) and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's likely early on that he'll be rotating through the ruck when the #1 ruck needs a break. Franklin and Hawkins both kicked more than double the amount of goals of any of their teammates last year, and while Clark could kick 30-40 goals, Hawkins will still likely kick 65-70+, Hawkins is the guy who will really just beast his opponents out of the way and turn games.
Wilson
Roar Guru
Got to agree with Clack and Hawkins at the for front of the Cat they will be dangerous. but is the same for the Swan they have Franklin and Tippett. and for the Hawks Roughead plus Gunston all the main gun for those teams. I think you have to look at it as the teams with 2 Strong Forward are more dangerous teams then a team with on one strong forward.
Jacob
Guest
Geelong won't have to rely on Tom Hawkins anymore. Mitch Clark was traded to the Cats late last year and could be the difference between the cats making it to the semis, or Grand Final. Clarke has already shown his talent, scoring 6 goals in a game against Adelaide in the Nab Cup -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.