It was billed as a round of 50-50s, and it certainly delivered some eye catching results.
The ladder is beginning to take shape and it's almost doomsday for some clubs.
Here’s what we learned from Round 7:
Something’s got to give at Collingwood
Following Collingwood’s disappointing loss to the Suns, Nathan Buckley told reporters that there were unrealistic expectations on his playing group.
That may be fair, the Magpies are blooding a lot of youth and are a vastly different outfit from previous seasons.
Despite this, the lack of overall pressure and want for the contest is worrying.
The Magpies had only two of the top nine rated pressure players on the ground on Saturday - with Beau McCreery and Josh Thomas the two that can hold their head high.
It’s not about the win-loss record for Collingwood for the remainder of the season, but Magpies fans would be dying to see a clear game plan and increased effort levels going forward.
Club powerbrokers will be desperate for a response next Saturday against a winless North Melbourne outfit.
Brisbane are back
Last week we said it was a big week for Brisbane, and boy did they deliver.
Their 49-point win over Port Adelaide returns them to contender status and that’s probably where they always should have been with the talent on their list.
One of the keys to unlocking their success is without a doubt Charlie Cameron’s form - and he was back to his best with 4 goals against the Power.
He found himself playing slightly higher up the ground with Joe Daniher’s addition but returned closer to the goal square where he does his best work on Saturday night.
The forward line of Cameron, Daniher and Eric Hipwood could be one of the most dynamic in the competition and opposition defences will have many sleepless nights if Chris Fagan has figured out how to get the best out of the trio.
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Richmond are still top dogs
Talk that Richmond couldn’t win the flag in 2021 after their loss to Melbourne was widely slammed by the AFL community and Friday night’s result proved why.
The Tigers have proven in recent years that they tinker with things early in the season before hitting their straps as they time their run into finals.
Coming into the Bulldogs game with a 3-3 record would have worried no one at Punt Road and they didn’t even require Dustin Martin to hand the Bulldogs their first defeat of the season.
2021 may have stronger challengers than previous years but until proven otherwise Richmond remain the number one seed … and rightfully so.
Crows starting to slow
Adelaide have lost their past three games after starting the season with a 3-1 record.
They’ve certainly improved on last season - there’s no doubting that - but the Crows still remain a bottom four side in 2021.
That’s fair enough too looking at the stage they’re at with their development as this year looms as another that will include growing pains.
Significant strides have been made since the first half of last season but the brakes should be well and truly pumped in terms of anything this side can achieve in the immediate future.
If they can keep the scoreline respectable in next weekend’s showdown then that should be enough to please Crows fans.
Take Sam Walsh’s measurements for a maiden All-Australian blazer
Sam Walsh is an out and out star.
In fairness, he was always going to be after being taken at the No. 1 pick three years ago but the impact he’s having this early in his career is still impressive.
His stats alone in the win against Essendon (33 disposals and a goal) were eye-catching but it’s the work-rate around the ground and his ability to hurt you with ball in hand that are the best aspects of his game.
He may already be the Blues' best player and looks set for his first All-Australian nod in 2021.
If Walsh’s trajectory continues on its current path he could be one of those players that has a handful of blazers by the time their career is said and done.
It’s a big week for Gold Coast
The Suns’ 24-point victory over Collingwood was billed as the biggest win in club history post-match.
It’s definitely up there, and it may turn out to be true if it’s the win that acts as a springboard for their 2021 season.
Their form over the past fortnight has been impressive and a win over St Kilda next Saturday will genuinely vault them into finals contention.
It’s been a hurdle where the Suns have fallen at in previous years, but Stuart Dew will know his side has truly “matured” if they take care of the Saints at home.
