It's likely that at some stage midway through the 2014 season, Taylor Walker will replace James Podsiadly as the key focal point in attack but it's unknown when that moment will come. What is known, though, is that Eddie Betts will play up forward all season. The former Carlton small forward is a proven goalkicker, having led the Blues in 2010 and 2012 and could well add a third goalkicking title next year with the Crows. Lewis Johnston and Tom Lynch are both capable of kicking their fair share, but their share of game time might not prove as consistent. - Harry Thring

With Jonathan Brown overcoming foot and knee injuries, once again he will be the Lions' focal point in 2014. While it may not be good for the longevity of the team, it's hard to see anyone else stepping up to take the mantle as the main man at the moment. Brown is 32 but with his brute strength and nous, is still capable of kicking bags of four and five. Versatile Brent Staker has shown he is capable of 30-40 goals a season as a roving forward, and if Josh Green gets a full season in the forward pocket, he is capable of the same. - Michael Whiting

A wide-open field, with the candidates including swingman Lachie Henderson, veteran Jarrad Waite, speedsters Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran, and perhaps even the versatile Andrew Walker if he is once again recast as the spring-heeled 'Skywalker' of winters past. Key targets Henderson and Waite could be 60-goal men, but both have potential drawbacks: Henderson could be forced to spend more time in defence, which could be determined by the progress of young backman Matthew Watson, while Waite has a history of injury and suspension. Probably the safest bet is Garlett, this year's winner with 43 majors, for the simple reason he is likely to spend more time around the big sticks than any other Blue. Developing pair Levi Casboult and Troy Menzel could be surprise packets, but it's likely too soon for either to claim such a mantle. - Ben Collins

There is no reason why Travis Cloke won't lead the club's goalkicking for the fourth season in succession. Collingwood's forward line is structured around the 26-year-old with the vice-like hands and huge frame. His highest single-season tally of 69 in 2011 could have been much higher, however, had he kicked straight. Beyond Cloke are a bunch of players capable of kicking 20 to 30 goals in a season including Jamie Elliott and Jesse White. If played as a permanent forward Dane Swan could kick 50 goals but he will play as a midfielder, with Swan, Pendlebury, Beams and Sidebottom capable of 100 goals between them. - Peter Ryan

Coach Mark Thompson has indicated Michael Hurley will play in defence, and while that seems like a good plan, it means a lot of the forward line focus would turn to second-year big man Joe Daniher. It appears more likely that if Essendon's key defensive stocks are fit, that Hurley will continue to be the club's No.1 man up forward. That's a tougher task for him this year, given that the Bombers' leading goal kicker over the last three years – Stewart Crameri – has left the red and black. Daniher and resting ruckman Tom Bellchambers, who kicked 28 goals last year, will need to chip in. It wouldn't surprise if new recruit Paul Chapman also figured highly in the Bombers' goal kicking ranks. - Callum Twomey

The lengthy absences of Matthew Pavlich in 2013 led to a very even spread of goalkickers for the Dockers throughout the season with Michael Walters topping the chart with 46. Pavlich will obviously be a focal point again in 2014 but they can afford not to make him the sole focus. The Dockers are at their very best when they have multiple avenues to goal with Chris Mayne, Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne all providing unique and dangerous options. Colin Sylvia is a brilliant addition to the squad and he will provide some goals, but he will allow Nat Fyfe to drift forward more often as well. Scott Gumbleton is another option, if fit, who can change the dynamics of the forward line to test the flexibility of opposition defences. - Alex Malcolm

As they have done for a number of seasons, the Cats will build their forward line around Tom Hawkins. The powerful spearhead won the club's 2013 goalkicking award after slotting 49 majors for the season, but his output was significantly down on 2012, when he kicked 62 goals. The problem was a bulging disc in his back, which restricted his mobility. However, the Cats are confident Hawkins will return to full fitness in 2014. If he does, he is almost certain to top Geelong's goalkicking again, although he will have plenty of support. Speedy half-forward Steven Motlop has become Hawkins' key sidekick. Motlop booted 44 goals this year, while Joel Selwood, who finished with 30, has also become an attacking weapon. - Adam McNicol

The Suns will be hoping one of their young key forwards can take the leading goalkicker crown next season, but don't bet on it. In their short existence it's been midfielders Danny Stanley (20 in 2011) and Gary Ablett (26 and 28 in 2012 and 2013 respectively) who have taken the honour. Ablett looks a good bet to do so again in 2014 with coach Guy McKenna hinting at using him in more of a forward role. With the likes of Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow and Dion Prestia taking more midfield time, Ablett is likely to sneak forward and is capable of kicking 40-50 goals. Coming into their fourth season, watch for the big trio of Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Charlie Dixon to start asserting themselves on the scoreboard. Lynch plays a traditional centre half forward role, but has shown he is capable of being a regular goalkicker, while bullocking Dixon now believes he can match it at AFL level and is also capable. - Michael Whiting

Jeremy Cameron has led the Giants' goalkicking in each of the club's first two seasons, and he made an audacious run at the Coleman Medal in 2013, finishing with 62. The young star has been a revelation, but the Giants' forward line will have a new look in 2014 with No.1 draft picks Jonathon Patton and Tom Boyd to be unleashed. Expect Cameron to work up the ground more, using his versatility and athleticism and creating space for his powerful young teammates. His roles may vary, but sheer talent should still see him enter the season as the team's main goal source. – Nathan Schmook  

The safe bet to kick the most goals for the Hawks in 2014 will be Jarryd Roughead, who jagged the Coleman Medal this year with 68 goals. The powerful forward is in career-best touch, and shapes as Hawthorn's go-to player next year as well, although the departure of Lance Franklin guarantees he will be stood by the opposition's best defender every week. Hawthorn's best finals player in 2013, Jack Gunston, will be aiming to kick 50 goals next year as the clear No.2 forward. – Ashley Browne

Mitch Clark or Jesse Hogan may be the favoured options to top the Demons' goalkicking this season, but Jeremy Howe is the logical choice to claim the title. Clark appears to have put his foot issues behind him and could become a major factor in the Demons' forward line next season. Fresh from a stellar season in the VFL, Jesse Hogan comes into the League with plenty of hype surrounding him. Hogan proved his worth with 39 goals in 15 games for the Casey Scorpions. But Howe topped the goalkicking table with 28 in 2013, and there's every chance he can replicate or better that effort. Paul Roos' coaching style will provide opportunities for players like Howe to find and create space more effectively, leading to more opportunities in front of goal. Look for Howe to take his game to a new level in 2014. - Ben Guthrie

This looks set to be a race in two between Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas, who between them have led North's goalkicking the past five seasons. Small forward Thomas had an exceptional season last year, his 53-goal tally 15 more than he had kicked previously. Can he sustain that form in 2014? Even if he does, will North look to spread the small-forward load between him and former Tiger Robin Nahas? Similarly, Petrie's goals tally will be affected by how much emerging players like Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant improve next season. Petrie has been the Roos' No.1 aerial target in attack for so long, but Black, in particular, looks ready to shoulder more of the load. - Nick Bowen

Given Jay Schulz's combination of strong leading, contested marking and accuracy in front of goal, he's the target the Power will hope can boot the bulk of their goals next season. He's been the main man for the past two seasons, as well as his first year at Alberton in 2010. Schulz surrounded by quality forwards who all regularly contribute to the scoreboard, with Chad Wingard (43), Angus Monfries (39) and Justin Westhoff (31) booting 113 of the Power's 322 goals in 2013. Wingard will surely prove Schulz's biggest competition for next season's goal kicking crown, although time spent in the midfield could work against him. - Harry Thring

The Tigers set their sights on having a spread of goalkickers in 2013. They achieved that goal to a degree, with Jack Riewoldt (58), Ty Vickery (27), Dustin Martin (23) and Jake King (21) all booting more than 20 majors. But as those figures show, Riewoldt remains the club's dominant forward, and he will need better support if Richmond is to challenge for the premiership in 2014. Along with Vickery, who is one of the Tigers' most valuable players when his confidence is high, Aaron Edwards looms as another marking forward with the ability to take some of the heat off Riewoldt. It would take a major change of roles for Riewoldt to not top the Tigers' goalkicking next year, but the club will be happy if the likes of Vickery and Edwards can step up and narrow his winning margin. - Adam McNicol

Nick Riewoldt easily won the Saints' goal-kicking in 2013 with 50 goals (Stephen Milne was second with 28). Milne, now retired, topped the club the three years before that. Tom Lee, who came in third this season with 17 goals, will be more at home at AFL level in his second season as a Saint and will provide support to Riewoldt, who should be the primary focal point. Rhys Stanley could spend more time in attack with the recruitment of two new defenders and Beau Maister will find his way into the side at times but it's hard to see any of them seriously contending Riewoldt for what would be his fourth leading goal-kicker award. - Jennifer Phelan  

A 100-goal season from Lance Franklin would be a brilliant result for player and club, justifying the investment and showcasing his freakish talent. Many believe John Longmire will throw him deep forward as often as possible, maximizing Franklin's impact and giving him space as Kurt Tippett (who kicked 35 goals to lead the club's 2013 goalkicking tally) plays the forward/ruck role and Sam Reid hunts far and wide, even pushing into defence on occasion. Franklin kicked 100 goals in 2008 and has not kicked fewer than 60 goals in a season since 2007. - Peter Ryan

Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked 102 goals between them in 2013 but they played something of a lone hand up forward as the Eagles finished 13th, with  just four players kicking 20 or more goals. In contrast, West Coast had at least seven players kick 20-plus goals in their finals-bound seasons of 2011 and 2012. Kennedy and Darling will be the two-pronged attack again next year but a fit Mark LeCras will also be important. So, too, will Nic Naitanui as his role as No.1 ruckman  allows Dean Cox to push forward more often. Josh Hill will be a target again but they need to find goals from the midfield and also a small forward. Malcolm Karpany has been drafted to fill the role but Chris Masten might need to play forward a bit more, as he did in 2012 when he bagged 20 goals for the year. - Alex Malcolm

Former Essendon forward Stewart Crameri was the leading goalkicker for the Dons for the past three years, and if his pre-season so far is anything to go by, he's set to do the same for the Dogs. Crameri was one of the pace-setters in the team's 2km time trial last week, and is attacking his fresh start at Whitten Oval with vigour. He may be used up the ground a little more, but is a talented goal kicker and will find the big sticks. Crameri is a certainty in a team that is still tinkering with its forward line. Jarrad Grant is yet to cement a place, while Liam Jones hasn't made the most of his opportunities. Crameri is the obvious pick for next year's goalkicking honours, and if he can add 30-40 goals to the Dogs' existing attack, they will win more games than in 2013. - Jacqui Reed