Since the twilight of Matthew Pavlich’s career – and the years following his retirement – we’ve bemoaned Fremantle’s meagre tall forward stocks.

Now Ross Lyon faces the unfamiliar task of identifying the best of the rest, following the recruitment of Rory Lobb and Jesse Hogan.

Lyon has already confirmed the Dockers will structure their forward line around three key pillars. Fitness permitting, Hogan and Lobb fill two of those vacancies.

However, the identity of Fremantle’s third target remains unclear. Here’s a few factors that could shape the decision.

Matt Taberner

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Age: 25 | Height: 199cm | Weight: 97kg | Games: 62 | Goals: 62

Why pick him?

To start, the game plan Lyon is poised to employ plays perfectly to Taberner’s strengths. If match simulation is anything to go by, we can expect the Dockers to move the ball quickly with plenty of long kicking. Not only is Taberner aerobically gifted and capable of reaching contests a lot of defenders can’t, the left-footer has also developed into one of the club’s strongest contested marks. His ability to provide a bail-out option could prove invaluable. Moreover, Taberner looked by far the most dangerous of Fremantle’s key forwards last year before his season was interrupted by a serious foot injury.

Why not?

By picking Taberner, the Dockers are at risk of becoming too top heavy. Last year, Fremantle’s scoring capacity was significantly hindered by a lack of forward pressure. At 199cm, tackling and chasing isn’t Taberner’s forte, nor is it Lobb’s (207cm), Hogan’s (195cm) or Sandilands’ (211cm). Taberner is also slow to move the ball forward and might have less upside than Fremantle’s other candidates.

Camera Icon Matthew Taberner has put his best foot forward during pre-season. Credit: Getty Images, Paul Kane

Cam McCarthy

Age: 23 | Height: 192cm | Weight: 92kg | Games: 57 | Goals: 80

Why pick him?

McCarthy’s track record as the third tall forward speaks for itself. In 21 games for GWS, the South Fremantle product bagged 36 goals in a free-wheeling role across half-forward; a position he hasn’t had the luxury of playing since moving home to WA. McCarthy also looks markedly fitter this pre-season and has a knack for pulling off the mercurial. It’ll be interesting to see how the impending expiry of his contract will affect McCarthy’s form.

Why not?

On average, McCarthy clunks just 0.42 contested marks a game - a quarter of Taberner’s output - and reaches fewer marking contests. He’s not particularly productive at bringing the ball to ground, nor does he apply pressure when it hits the floor - though that could change with improved fitness. Question marks also surrounded his place in Fremantle’s best team, without Hogan and Lobb in toe. How, then, would it stand to reason that McCarthy should leapfrog his teammates?

Camera Icon Cam McCarthy flourished playing as GWS Giants’ third tall forward. Credit: AFL Media, Anthony Pearse

Brennan Cox

Age: 20 | Height: 193cm | Weight: 96kg | Games: 26 | Goals: 22

Why pick him?

Cox showed enough in 16 games last year to have coaches and experts excited. The South Australian reads the ball exceptionally well through the air and is surprisingly mobile for a man of his size. Few players at the club can match Cox’s contested marking - which is statistically on par with Taberner’s - while his game sense is coming on in leaps and bounds. Cox is also just 20 years old and remains relatively unfamiliar with the role, despite the success he’s already experienced.

Why not?

In short, he’s raw. While Cox’s CV points towards a player of serious potential, the odds are against him influencing games as consistently as Taberner and McCarthy. And is an AFL match necessarily the right place for him to hone his craft, or would Cox benefit from time with Peel? Of his other detractors, the tall right-footer is wayward in front of goal and could improve his tank. There’s also the question of whether he’s better suited playing forward or back, a la Jeremy McGovern.

Play Video WATCH. Is Brennan Cox better than Charlie Curnow? We have a look at their stats. The West Australian Video WATCH. Is Brennan Cox better than Charlie Curnow? We have a look at their stats.

Hugh Dixon

Age: 19 | Height: 194cm | Weight: 95kg | Games: 0 | Goals: 0

Why pick him?

A pattern seems to be forming here ... Like Taberner and Cox, Dixon’s hands are among the best at Fremantle. The agile Tasmanian is dangerous at ground level and has a highlights reel few draftees can match. He’s also reliable in front of goal and kicks the ball sweetly off his left boot.

Why not?

If experience counts for anything, Dixon should be scratched form the list of contenders immediately. The teenager kicked 10 goals in nine games for Peel during an injury-interrupted debut season but didn’t really look in contention for a senior debut. He’s never completed a pre-season and lacks the fitness base required at AFL level. That’s not to say he’s short of potential; those at Cockburn are genuinely optimistic about Dixon’s prospects. It’ll just take time - and a stint in the WAFL - for the rangy key forward to develop.