Veteran forwards thrive as AFL rule changes fuel scoring surge, says Gunston and Walker

Key facts

• Jack Gunston has the best strike rate of any forward in the AFL this year.
• Taylor Walker has kicked more goals than any other player in matches played outside Victoria.
• Jeremy Cameron kicked ten goals against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago.
• Six of the 33 players aged over 33 on AFL lists this year are key forwards.
• Clubs are averaging 633 points per game this season, up from 606 at the same stage last year for teams that have played seven matches.
• The stand rule and 6-6-6 rule from centre bounces are cited as key factors in increased scoring.

A vintage crop of veteran forwards is redefining the game

Jack Gunston, the Hawthorn veteran, holds the best strike rate of any forward in the AFL this season as he prepares for a Thursday night clash against Collingwood at the MCG. The 32-year-old is part of a remarkable cohort of ageing key forwards who are not merely surviving but dominating, prompting a premiership coach to wonder who can stop him. Taylor Walker, the Adelaide champion, has kicked more goals than any other player in matches played outside Victoria, while Jeremy Cameron booted ten goals in a demolition of the Western Bulldogs just two weeks ago. These performances have shattered the assumption that forwards decline sharply after 30.

Rule changes open up the game for attacking football

Walker attributes the resurgence to recent rule changes that have made the game more free-flowing. 'The stand rule on the mark has opened things up and given us more options,' he told foxsports.com.au. 'The speed that the ball is moving with, you have to have a deeper forward just in case the ball goes out of bounce between the arcs, because the ball can come back in pretty quick.' He added that the 6-6-6 rule, introduced before the pandemic, has also been crucial. 'You can't have a spare behind the ball, so that has balanced things out a bit as well.' The result is a league-wide scoring surge: clubs are averaging 633 points per game this year, compared to 606 at the same stage last season for teams that have played seven matches.

Experience trumps declining athleticism among older forwards

The wisdom that comes with experience is a significant factor.s are a half-step slower or have less bounce in their spring than they did in their prime, their ability to read the game combined with their strength and nous in positioning their bodies is significant in one-on-one contests in their attack. Of the 33 players aged over 33 on AFL lists this year, six can be considered key forwards, including Jack Darling, Brody Mihocek, and Tom Lynch, all playing important roles for their clubs. This group is thriving in an environment that rewards intelligent positioning over raw speed.

Coaches divided as scoring rates climb

While Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is the latest to bemoan the AFL’s tinkering with the rules, the numbers paint a clear picture of a more attacking game. Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, now an assistant at Geelong, told Fox Footy’s On The Couch that scoring from the centre bounce was 'through the roof.' The rule changes have exposed what Walker calls the biggest 'fallacy' in AFL: the belief that older forwards cannot be effective. Instead, the veterans are proving that experience and game sense can compensate for any loss of athleticism, especially when the rules favour quick ball movement and one-on-one contests.

The outlook for the season and beyond

As the season progresses, the impact of these rule changes will continue to be felt. Gunston’s strike rate and Walker’s interstate goal tally suggest that key forwards in their 30s are not just surviving but setting new standards. The question now is whether defences can adapt or if scoring records will continue to tumble. For now, the veteran forwards are enjoying a renaissance, and the AFL’s rule changes have given them the platform to prove that age is no barrier to elite performance.

The bottom line

• Jack Gunston has the best strike rate of any forward in the AFL this season.
• Taylor Walker leads all players in goals scored outside Victoria.
• Six of the 33 players aged over 33 on AFL lists are key forwards, thriving in the current rules environment.
• The stand rule and 6-6-6 rule have increased scoring, with clubs averaging 633 points per game, up from 606 last year.
• Experience and positioning are compensating for any loss of athleticism among older forwards.
• Coaches are divided on the rule changes, but the data shows a clear trend toward higher scoring.