The race for the prestigious title of the season’s best goal kicker has never been so enticing.
With ever club playing each other once in a shortened season, the title for the 2020 Coleman Medal is wide-open and it seems we could have a new named etched into the winner’s books.
We take a look at the five forwards with the best chance to end the season on top.
Tom Hawkins
The Cats star has come into his groove in 2020, dominating defender after defender with pure strength and muscle and sitting in pole position for the Coleman.
Rivals have had very few answers for ‘the Tomahawk’, with the 32-year-old booting 33 goals for the season, with just two goalless performances.
An average of 2.5 goals per game to go along with 16 goal assists for the year suggests the Geelong veteran is a handful for any opposition backline.
The Cats have a moderately comfortable run home, but Hawkins will need to be at his very best to remain in at the top of the competition.
Josh Kennedy
It’s hard to say where many would’ve rated the Eagles star forward heading into 2020, with injury setbacks and age not on his side. But the classy veteran has proven any doubters wrong as he eyes a third Coleman Medal.
A seven-goal performance against the Magpies skyrocketed his goalkicking campaign, where he now sits five goals behind Hawkins with a game in hand.
The Eagles have enjoyed life back in Perth, with Kennedy booting 22 goals in their six games at Optus Stadium since round seven. The question will remain; how high can the Eagles and Kennedy fly as they return to a Queensland hub.
The Eagles last four matches of the season will be against sides ranked in the worst seven defenses in the league, meaning Kennedy will be licking his lips ahead of their upcoming month of football., with the Coleman in his sights. Click here for Online bookmakers, if you would like to punt on the Eagles.
Dan Butler
No matter what happens in 2020, Dan Butler will be over the moon with the resurrection of his AFL career.
The former-Richmond goal-sneak has lifted the Saints into the top eight with 24 goals from 13 matches and sits in All-Australian contention.
The flashy forward has booted majors in 11 matches, placing him third in the Coleman Medal race with four games to go.
For Butler, taking out the title will be a massive win for the little guys as he leads the pack of small forwards chasing the title.
While his blistering start to the season has somewhat cooled off, the chance is there for the taking in his run to the finals.
Charlie Dixon
The man leading the Port Adelaide defiance, with the South Australians proving their doubters wrong thanks to the brute force of Charlie Dixon.
The 107kg monster has been unleashed in 2020, booting 23 goals – including a bag of six in round three.
Dixon leads the league for contested grabs this season, an asset of his game that has launched him into All-Australian discussions. Defenders seem to have no hope of stopping the Port spearhead.
For Dixon’s chances at the Coleman title, he will need to take every possible advantage of their upcoming games against the Swans, Kangaroos and Bombers.
Matt Taberner
The Dockers forward is no dark horse in this race, proving himself worthy as he sits in the league’s top five goalkickers.
Taberner remains as the only player in 2020 to kick a goal in every round, booting 23 for the year and 11 in his last four appearances.
Fremantle’s engine room has been one of the most in-form of the last month, offering silver-service to Taberner and co. as the Dockers eye a late run for the top eight.
Taberner’s reliable eye for goal and dominance in the air are steering his bid for the Coleman, with a monster bag of goals just around the corner.
