Big forwards and finals go together like oil and water.
But we don’t really hear that too often, do we?
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.
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… they are more akin to playing the role of best supporting actor.
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.
But how much of a handful can they really be?
History tells us that forwards rarely take over a final to the level we hope. In the history of the V/AFL, you don’t 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’t we?
I know I still do.
Of course, bags of ten or more are now harder to come by than a federal budget in surplus, but if you’re a fan of Adelaide, the Dogs, the Suns, the Giants, or the Cats, you’d be looking at this coming September and wondering… what if our bloke really gets off the chain?
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.
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.
And just to prove that I should never go with my gut… it did not play out that way, at all.
This list is far from exhaustive. I’m sitting here, coughing and sneezing after my kids have generously shared another illness with me (thanks kids… grrrr), and I’ve 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.
Until you do, here are some of the big finals series performers in V/AFL history
- 26 goals in the 1989 Final Series – Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
- 23 goals in the 1939 Finals Series – Ron Todd (Collingwood)
- 21 goals in the 1980 Finals Series – Kevin Bartlett (Richmond)
- 21 goals in the 1932 Finals Series – Harry Vallence (Carlton)
- 18 goals in the 1992 Finals Series – Peter Sumich (West Coast)
- 18 goals in the 1938 Finals Series – Ron Todd (Collingwood)
- 17 goals in the 1991 Finals Series – Peter Sumich (West Coast)
- 17 goals in the 1967 Finals Series – Doug Wade (Geelong)
- 16 goals in the 1992 Finals Series – Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
- 16 goals in the 1994 Finals Series – Gary Ablett Senior (Geelong)
- 16 goals in the 1978 Finals Series – Michael Moncrieff (Hawthorn)
- 16 goals in the 1937 Finals Series – Gordon Coventry (Collingwood)
- 15 goals in the 1970 Finals Series – Peter McKenna (Collingwood)
- 15 goals in the 2000 Finals Series – Matthew Lloyd (Essendon)
- 15 goals in the 1994 Finals Series – Garry Lyon (Melbourne)
- 15 goals in the 1951 Finals Series – George Gonninon (Geelong)
- 15 goals in the 1970 Finals Series – Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton)
- 15 goals in the 1972 Finals Series – Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton)
For the record, Joe Daniher’s 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 – his best September return over the course of his career is nine, back in 2019. And for those wondering, Buddy Franklin’s best finals series saw him kick 12. That was in 2014 for the Swans. Tom Hawkins? Just eight.
That Ablett fella went okay, huh? Sadly, aside from that epic ’89 Grand Final, he didn’t 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.
So, what does a list like this tell us
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’re not getting to beat up on the dud teams like so many do during the home and away season.
It tells us some other stuff, as well.
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’t even all that accurate! Those Eagles teams were brilliant to watch. He also had 14 goals in the 1990 finals, as well.
For the Hawks, I didn’t 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.
Dusty had 12 in 2019, whilst Peter McKenna’s listed 15 snags in 1970 came in only two games.
So, there we go. As I said, I don’t believe this is a complete list, and I am happy for people to add names to it as they read – I am sure I missed a few on the way through.
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’s about all?
And if you can see one of them making a massive impact and kicking 15+, who do you think it is going to be?
Me, I think the one flying under the radar is Ben King. I’ve been harsh on him, but if the Suns play three finals, he is highly capable of having 15 to his name.
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… thank you – HB
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
