What we've learned after seven rounds in the AFL...

Fremantle Dockers Brownlow Medallist contender Nat Fyfe is on fire

1^st – Fremantle

The Dockers are two wins clear out in front of the rest of the competition and don’t look like letting up any time soon. Having already beaten the Cats, Swans, Port Adelaide, and second-placed West Coast Eagles, the Fremantle-based side are in great stead for the rest of the season. Nat Fyfe has been dominant for his team although may find himself in hot water for  Brownlow Medal contention after his third-quarter incident against Western Bulldogs last week.

2^nd – West Coast Eagles

My long-shot tip for the Flag is getting better and better each game. Despite being undermanned for a number of games, the West Coast Eagles have stunned their opponents with their quick attacking combinations starting all the way from the back pocket into the forward lines. Former Brisbane Lions player Elliot Yeo is proving a bargain after making his move up from defence into the midfield taking contested marks and kicking important goals for his side.

3^rd – Sydney Swans

There are not too many surprises when it comes to the 2014 grand final runners-up thus far. With losses to the Dockers and Western Bulldogs, the Swans are sitting pretty. Luke Parker is no longer a stranger in the AFL after some outstanding displays for his side, particularly in the comfortable win (in the end) for the Cats.

4^th – Adelaide Crows

The Crows have picked up wins against the Saints, Suns, Demons, and the Kangaroos way back in round one. It is hard to judge at this point how they fair this season but it seems Eddie Betts will need a lot more support up front from the rest of his teammates if the Crows are to be in the Top 8 at season’s end. 

5^th – GWS

It is great to see the surprise package of the season so far come in the form of newly formed and youthful Greater Western Sydney Giants. I wonder if Kevin Sheedy pictured 2015 with his old team to be anything like this one. The statistics might not say it but former Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen in midfield is killing it for his new club. If progress isn’t a 78-point club record win over Carlton last week then God only knows what is.

6^th – Hawks

The Hawthorn side have definitely had one of the tougher opening starts to the season in terms of fixtures against the likes of the Cats, Power, and Kangaroos. Yet the reigning champions still find themselves three wins off the Dockers. Billy Hartung is a young superstar and fans will be hoping there are many years to come for him in the gold and brown.

7^th – Pies

Collingwood have had one of the kinder starts to the season but seventh is probably not a true reflection of where they rank among the rest. If Nathan Buckley can string wins against the Suns, Kangaroos, and Demons in the next few weeks then that would be a more ideal time for season assessment. It looks like midfielder Jack Crisp deserves all the plaudits he is getting having originally filled in the midfield for injury cover.

8^th – Western Bulldogs

There is something strangely special about this Western Bulldogs team. The eighth-placed team have beaten the Eagles, got flogged by the Hawks, doubled the score of the Crows, and snatched a win over the Swans. Consistency seems to be the biggest issue for this side but a finals series berth looks to be on cards anyway.

The pack behind...

The Kangaroos are only not in the top eight because of their point’s percentage but should be a team fighting for those lower finals places later on if they can learn to defeat the big teams. 

Richmond look to be the same old Tigers at the moment showing promising signs but continue to struggle knocking off teams. 

Their round four loss in the wet to the Demons was the worst I’ve seen them play in a while.

The Bombers have just opened up another can of worms this time with WADA, but if Hird can keep the focus at Essendon then they could be worthy of a finals spot.

Port Adelaide have beaten the Hawks already this season but failed miserably against the Lions last week, a result that will tell a lot in the next few weeks. 

Geelong are part of the injury-struck bunch therefore one would be foolish to write them off yet. 

The Saints have been hot and cold lately with their win over the Bulldogs showing what they are capable of but, like the Demons, are still rebuilding. 

There is little to split between the two Queensland clubs but the Brisbane Lions look to have got one wheel back on track after the win over Power last week while the Suns cannot be taken seriously without Gary Ablett Junior. 

Rock-bottom Carlton Blues couldn’t be more deserving of last spot with their uninspiring footy however the players should be bearing the load of criticism just as much as Malthouse is.