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‘Best since Buddy’: AFL prodigy’s ultimate comparison after epic eight-goal blitz Logan Morris has drawn the ultimate comparison after his stunning eight-goal haul in Brisbane’s 63-point win over Collingwood on Friday night, which looks all-but-certain to see him finish as the runner-up for this year’s Coleman Medal. The 21-year-old further underlined his status as one of the AFL’s brightest young stars with the career-best bag on the eve of his third finals campaign. Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. And after 67 games and 140 goals at the top level, Melbourne great Garry Lyon has seen enough to declare him the AFL’s most exciting young forward since Lance Franklin. “He’s the best, most exciting young forward since Buddy Franklin,” Lyon told Fox Footy post-match. “He’s only turned 21 a couple of months ago, this kid.” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown added: “He’s a bit Jeremy Cameron-like, the way he moves. He’s a good athlete.” After three years in the AFL system, Franklin had kicked 125 majors from 56 games — about 0.15 per game more than Morris at the same point in their careers. Morris had already torn the game apart by half-time, booting four goals from nine disposals and five marks as he had his way with Collingwood defender Liam Puncher. In doing so, Morris became the second-youngest Lion to record four forward-50 marks and four goals in a half — and he was far from finished. The Werribee product added another four majors after the main break, with his eighth an outrageous effort that defied logic, capping a performance that had Lyon declaring he would travel anywhere in the country to watch the emerging superstar. “No one was running hotter than Logan Morris,” Lyon said. “I’d pay good money and go anywhere in the country to watch this bloke play; that’s how much I’m impressed by him. “It was the three-goal burst in the second quarter, where young Liam Puncher really got an understanding of the difference between good players and potentially great.” Geelong champion Tom Hawkins was equally taken by Morris’ combination of athleticism and forward craft. “We’ve just marvelled at his athleticism and how he covers the ground. The timing of the way he goes at the football, he jumps early,” Hawkins said. “What I’ve loved is he’s identified that he’s right on top, and he’s played accordingly. “He’s played really deep … it’s not like they’re going to him on every occasion, but he’s just so smart with where he runs, and makes the most of his opportunities.” Morris’ rapid rise is made all the more remarkable by how quickly his output has accelerated across his first three seasons. After kicking 24 goals from 19 games in his rookie 2024 campaign, Morris broke out with 53 majors from 26 appearances last year before adding another 63 to date in 2026. It leaves Morris as arguably the quickest-ascending key forward in the competition — and looming as an increasingly frightening proposition heading into September. His emergence also gives Brisbane a fascinating selection squeeze inside its forward half. The Lions are currently playing tall, with Morris, Eric Hipwood and Brandon Allen all featuring against the Magpies, while Sam Draper can also rotate into attack when Darcy Fort takes over in the ruck. With All-Australian midfielder Hugh McCluggage still to return from a calf injury, Lyon suggested Brisbane may ultimately need to sacrifice one of its talls for another runner. “I suspect they’re still working it out as well, but I would probably play one less than what they’re playing tonight,” he said. “At worst, you’ve got either he or Hipwood sitting in the wings in good form … I don’t know, it’s an interesting one. “I would suspect that they would go for a runner.” Whatever Brisbane ultimately decides, he is undoubtedly the only certainty in its key forward mix.