This is the final installment of the complete review of the Cats list. Today we look at the forwards.

Click here to read about the Cats defenders
Click here to read about the Cats midfielders
Click here to read about the Cats ruckmen

Jimmy Bartel
Whilst Jimmy Bartel should be viewed as something prestigious like a prince, a prime minister or perhaps a university professor, the honesty is he is really a maintenance man. An exceptional maintenance man. These past few seasons has seen Bartel play a variety of positions. Last year it was the backline where he ‘quarterbacked’ like Peyton Manning, setting up numerous Cats forward forays and cutting off opposition attacks. This year may see Bartel return to the role that won him a Norm Smith medal; the tall and small forward. Bartel is nearly impossible to match up on. The hands of a tall key forward, the ball skills of the silkiest forward pocket. Accuracy is his forte so how many can Jimmy boot in 2014?
Potential position: half forward
Other positions: everywhere on the ground

Lincoln McCarthy
Each year there is a name that pops up over and over again speaking with Cats players and staff and in 2014 it is Lincoln McCarthy. McCarthy has been unable to add to his one AFL game in 2012 but with a series of foot problems behind him prepare to be excited by the Cats nuggety forward. A sublime combination of speed, low centre of gravity and toughness makes McCarthy an x-factor that Cats haven’t seen for a while.
Potential position – forward pocket
Other position - midfield

Daniel Menzel
Like the gelato that you had in Rome and never experienced anything quite like it since, Daniel Menzel was a tasty morsel we didn’t get enough off. But now Menzel is back on the road to recovery after a fourth reconstruction and may be back in action mid-year for the Cats. Once a fit Daniel Menzel is back on the park, the Cats have two Stevie J’s as there are few players who can match their unbelievable skill and ability.
Potential position – half-forward
Other position - midfield

Jordan Murdoch
One player who has noticeably added size to their frame this year is Jordan Murdoch. The speedy Cat now sports shoulders that Joel Corey would be proud of. Murdoch was in and out of the Cats side in 2013 and he will look this year to put a big increase in his consistency across games. A change of roles last year saw his disposal numbers drop and his goals increase and now Murdoch can put those two together to become an important asset to the Cats forward line.
Potential position – half-forward
Other position - wing

Tom Hawkins
Cats fans smiled as one when Tom Hawkins accepted the 2012 Carji Greeves medal but those smiles quickly turned to grimaces in 2013 as Hawkins valiantly battled through back pain. Like a few other big Cats, these problems are behind him and going by preseason training, in which Hawkins hasn’t missed a beat, we can expect the Tomahawk back to his devastating best. How Hawkins will fair without James Podsiadly will be interesting but there are many Robins to step up and help out Batman.
Potential position – full forward, centre half forward
Other position – N/A

Nathan Vardy
With all these Cats players returning from injury it is nice to have a ‘here’s one we prepared earlier’ and that player is Nathan Vardy. After so many hip and leg problems, Vardy has finally been able to step out of the injury shadow and in 2013 was able to register the most games he’s played in a season and the most goals. With James Podsiadly gone, Vardy can now step up as a forward of the future. There is something electrifying about watching Vardy, whether it be the strut that he bounds around the forward line with or the booming right foot that has no problems from outside 50. Cats fans have every right to be excited.
Potential position – full forward, centre half forward
Other position - ruck

George Burbury
A little taste of George Burbury in 2013 provided the Cats with an interesting prospect. Quick, strong on the lead and tough, Burbury gives the Cats forward line a new look. A series of quad injuries after his debut stifled his selection chances but will be ready to show his wares after being elevated to the senior list for 2014.
Potential position – forward pocket
Other position – wing, midfield

Josh Walker
Another Cat who has earned a promotion and a chance to impress is Josh Walker. Walker had his chance at the end of 2013 when he was given three games including the Cats final at Simonds Stadium. The beauty of Walker in 2014 isn’t just that he has another year of development behind him but also that he hopefully won’t have to fill in the ruck or be the Cats number one option going forward as he was with Tom Hawkins out. One of the club’s fittest players, Walker will look to use his massive tank to run defenders ragged.
Potential position – centre half forward
Other position – ruck, centre half back

Brad Hartman
One of just four Cats on the list, that weren’t drafted this year, to have not played an AFL game is Brad Hartman. He made tremendous strides last year in the VFL and his knowledge of the game has improved greatly. A smooth mover with great goal sense, Hartman provides a different type of medium forward with great pressuring ability.
Potential position – half forward
Other position - wing

Shane Kersten
Shane Kersten came tantalizingly close to making his debut at the end of 2013 but unfortunately for the booming right footer circumstances prevented it. This means that 2014 should be the year Kersten shows his wares at the highest level. Whilst neither a key position forward or a small forward, Kersten presents a target similar to the Eagles Jack Darling. With some big bags in the VFL, Kersten has shown he has no problems finding the big sticks.
Potential position – half forward
Other position – forward pocket

Zac Bates
The Cats final pick in the rookie draft is a tantalizing prospect. Watching Zac Bates train, you can see why the Cats were so interested. Blinding speed, great agility and a beautiful left foot perfectly position Bates to creating a big impact. His only hindrance may come in the form of his small frame but as senior players at the Cats will testify too, he doesn’t mind using what he’s got.
Potential position – forward pocket
Other position – midfield, wing, back pocket