The Decline of AFL Goals, It May Be Over
2006
Brendan Fevola 84 goals
Barry Hall 78
Brad Johnson 74
Fraser Gehrig 71
Matthew Pavlich 71
1996
Tony Lockett 121
Jason Dunstall 102
Matthew Richardson 91
Stewart Loewe 90
Wayne Carey 82
1986
Brian Taylor 100
Warwick Capper 92
Simon Beasley 88
Jason Dunstall 77
Gary Ablett 65
1976
Larry Donohue 105
Michael Moncrieff 97
Kelvin Templeton 82
Leigh Matthews 71
Robert Walls 55
While the AFL games are being sped up, the scores are slowing down. One part of the game that is being flooded out is the star full forward. While kicking the ball fast and long into the forward line is one answer, there needs to be a big target in the forward area.
The 2006 AFL draft could provide a solution for some teams. Hawkins, Gumbleton, Riewoldt, Thorp, Hansen, Tippett, Brown and Brown could all become star marking forwards.
Hawkins has to be a future 100-goal a season prospect. Gumbleton can play several spots but if his new AFL team keeps him in the forward line he should produce. Tasmania's Thorp and Riewoldt can play at both ends, Riewoldt has shown ability in the VFL, with 5 goals against Box Hill, and also at the Under 18 Titles, 4 goals to setup a Tasmania win over New South Wales. Hansen has athleticism, Tippett has height and marking ability, and both Brown brothers have pace on the lead from the goalsquare.
Maybe only a couple of the draft picks will be kicking bags of goals next season, but the AFL will also welcome back a healthy Lloyd and Jonathan Brown. So the days of the exciting full forwards could be returning soon.
Brendan Fevola 84 goals
Barry Hall 78
Brad Johnson 74
Fraser Gehrig 71
Matthew Pavlich 71
1996
Tony Lockett 121
Jason Dunstall 102
Matthew Richardson 91
Stewart Loewe 90
Wayne Carey 82
1986
Brian Taylor 100
Warwick Capper 92
Simon Beasley 88
Jason Dunstall 77
Gary Ablett 65
1976
Larry Donohue 105
Michael Moncrieff 97
Kelvin Templeton 82
Leigh Matthews 71
Robert Walls 55
While the AFL games are being sped up, the scores are slowing down. One part of the game that is being flooded out is the star full forward. While kicking the ball fast and long into the forward line is one answer, there needs to be a big target in the forward area.
The 2006 AFL draft could provide a solution for some teams. Hawkins, Gumbleton, Riewoldt, Thorp, Hansen, Tippett, Brown and Brown could all become star marking forwards.
Hawkins has to be a future 100-goal a season prospect. Gumbleton can play several spots but if his new AFL team keeps him in the forward line he should produce. Tasmania's Thorp and Riewoldt can play at both ends, Riewoldt has shown ability in the VFL, with 5 goals against Box Hill, and also at the Under 18 Titles, 4 goals to setup a Tasmania win over New South Wales. Hansen has athleticism, Tippett has height and marking ability, and both Brown brothers have pace on the lead from the goalsquare.
Maybe only a couple of the draft picks will be kicking bags of goals next season, but the AFL will also welcome back a healthy Lloyd and Jonathan Brown. So the days of the exciting full forwards could be returning soon.
