As we creep ever closer to the two-month marker of the 2022 AFL Season, the narrative of each of the competition's 18 clubs have become clearer.
And while the ladder may have sides from all over the country sitting on respective rungs, the form lines of sides found between Optus Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground can often read differently.
So, before the results tallied across the course of Round 7 fade entirely out of our rear-view mirror, here's how we see each side faring ahead of the month of May.
1. Melbourne (-)
Given they haven't lost a game since July 24 of last year, the fact that the Demons are still dominating both their opponents and our standings should surprise nobody.
While their hit-out against Hawthorn saw the COVID hit club claim the win after another five-minute, third-quarter flurry, if the blueprint isn't broken, then it doesn't need fixing.
Though Round 8 date with the Saints at the MCG should provide the Redlegs with some stiffer competition, there will be little doubt about which side will enter Sunday afternoon as the odds-on favourite.
2. Brisbane (-)
Despite the fact the official AFL ladder has Chris Fagan's pride residing on the third rung, Brisbane's ability to beat a genuine top-four contender away from home has seen them retain our second slot.
And while the Dockers' mature road win over Geelong was enough to earn them a swathe more admirers, the finals-seasoned Lions remain the most realistic challenger for Melbourne's crown.
The pair's Round 15 and 23 battles are set to be must-see affairs.
3. Fremantle (+2)
After earning a win at Kardinia Park for just the third time in the club's history, Fremantle fanatics can quite rightfully be dirty that they sit so far south in our rankings.
But with Brisbane ticking boxes in the Harbour City, the Purple Army will need to wait before dragging their anchor up.
Still, with their resilience now matching their results, and only a single blot on their copybook so far this season, it's unlikely that Justin Longmuir's lumpers will be forced to bide much time.
4. Sydney (-1)
While 'Buddy' Franklin fired efficiently on Sunday evening with six straight majors, the Swans missed a sound opportunity to entrench themselves above where they currently reside.
Yet, given their near flawless start to their 2022 campaign, John Longmire's bank of Swans will only need to split future 'eight-point' contests to make a confident return to September.
Although Sydney should prove too strong for both Gold Coast and Essendon across the course of the next fortnight, successive dates against Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne before the bye should prove whether they are worthy of earning a double chance or not.
5.ย St Kilda (-1)
Like their form in front of goal across the past fortnight, the Saints missed a massive opportunity to gain a sixth win in Carins at what is an important juncture of their young season.
And although their healthy percentage saw them jump back into the ladder's top four, with clashes against the Demons and Cats looming large on the horizon, it will be interesting to see just how the Moorabbin men bounce back following their latest night tropical nightmare.
6. Carlton (+1)
Heads were hung at Princes Park following a disappointing result across the Nullarbor in Round 6, but with the ability to get the best of North Melbourne a week later, the Blues have bounced back up our board.
Still, as the ladder shows, Michael Voss' side is still a ways off what is being dished up by the best.
Fixtures against Adelaide, GWS, Sydney and Collingwood over the next month should provide a clearer picture of where Carlton truly sits in the race for their 17th flag.
7. Geelong (-1)
Akin to the Swans and Saints, the Cats missed a chance to thwart a fellow contender on their home deck.
Still, with about as much life experience on his roster as a cast reunion of 'The Expendables', as well as the prospect of key cog Patrick Dangerfield returning in Round 8, it is unlikely that Chris Scott has lost much sleep since Saturday.
While the Giants, Saints, Power, Crows and Bulldogs are next in line for the wily felines, Scott and his clowder will hold hopes of earning three wins at a minimum.
8. Collingwood (-)
While tested for much of last Sunday afternoon, Collingwood's professional start and finish were enough to hold the Suns at bay.
With their fourth win obtained off the back of an ANZAC Day steadier, the Pies are back in our eight, as well as on the ladder.
And although few had the Woodsmen contending for a ticket to the finals when the season commenced, if a tough month against the Tigers, Bulldogs, Dockers and Blues can be navigated, September may well be on the cards in Craig McRae's debut season.
9. Hawthorn (-)
Despite leaving the MCG empty-handed on Saturday afternoon, Hawthorn's efforts against the reigning premiers saw them earn more applause from punters and pundits alike.
Under first-year coach Sam Mitchell, the Hawks have shown that their strength is in their structures, so a swift return to the winner's list is not out of the question.
But if fixtures against Essendon, Richmond, Brisbane and Gold Coast prove too tough, a slide down our rankings is a nigh-on certainty.
10. Richmond (+1)
While much of Friday night looked like Rocky Balboa beating up on a hooked carcass, the jabs, cuts and hooks thrown by the Tigers were enough to see them earn their due rewards against the Eagles.
Although the lure of linking Richmond to another flag run is tantalising following their 109-point win, a level of consistency is required before we'll be biting.
The Punt Roaders Round 8 date with Collingwood on Saturday afternoon should provide us with more answers than questions.
11. Western Bulldogs (+1)
While the Bulldogs took care of business against the Bombers on Sunday, they are still yet to mirror Bachman Turner Overdrive by doing it every day and in every way.
Although a litany of the stars found on Barkly Street appeared back to their best in Round 7, this form line will need to remain across the next month if the premiership peloton is to be chased down.
Still, with Luke Beveridge's fart (yes, that is the correct collective noun) of Bulldogs fixtured to face Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Gold Coast and West Coast, a perfect May could well have last year's runners-up back on track.
12. Adelaide (-2)
After the unexpected joys found in beating the Bulldogs in Ballarat were sure to have been basked in across the course of the last week, Matthew Nicks' murder crashed back in a 59-point loss at home.
Given they were blown out by a side - GWS - sitting ladder rungs below them, as well as the fact that their seasonal ledger is no longer square, May could provide mayhem for the West Lakes club, with Carlton, Brisbane, St Kilda and Geelong to come.
13. Port Adelaide (+1)
Following their 0-5 start to 2022, the Alberton Crowd were back in business after biting the bit and eating up the slop in Cairns.
While there is still plenty of work to be done to make a return to September, you can bet your bottom dollar that the temperature of Ken Hinkley's hot seat has cooled just a tad across the past pair of weeks.
Port's Round 8 battle with the Bulldogs should prove fascinating given the pair's uneven ledgers since facing off in last season's second preliminary final.
14. GWS Giants (+1)
After failing to claim any points since their rout of the Suns in Round 3, the Giants' major flex in the City of Churches saw them blow plenty of cobwebs out ahead of May.
But while the near 10-goal win was enough to steady what appeared to be a sinking ship, the prospect of making a sixth finals appearance across the past seven seasons is still, well and truly, out of reach.
At least Leon Cameron will be breathing easier ahead of a Saturday afternoon stoush with Geelong now that a few of the monkeys on his back have gone back in their barrel.
15. Gold Coast (-2)
While willing to stand toe-to-toe with the Pies for much of Sunday afternoon, early punches worn in the opening and closing rounds were enough to see them sit behind on points when the final bell rang.
Though they won praise for their early form this season, it is now on Stuart Dew and his crew of Carrara kids to, finally, re-write the club's sordid narrative when it comes to their record after the bye.
And with clashes against the Swans, Dockers, Bulldogs, Hawks and Kangaroos before they get there, an ability to channel Billy Ocean and get going before the going gets tough will be required.
16. Essendon (-)
Like Kathryn Hahn's character in 'Step Brothers', the Dons' tune so far this season has been flat, and for the vast majority of each fixture, they don't even look good when they're singing either.
Although there has been next to nothing to write home about for Ben Rutten's boys from the Hangar, the prospect of clashes against Hawthorn, Sydney, Richmond and a now in-form Port Adelaide before the bye could see the Bombers' song sounding even further off-key.
17. North Melbourne (+1)
Despite dropping points again, the Roos' ability to roll with the punches and throw a few back at the Blues on Saturday night has them off our bottom rung.
But while finally sitting north of the cellar floor may feel like an achievement, the Arden Streeters are likely to make the minor plummet if the under-whelming Eagles get their act together.
Although three of their next four fixtures are against top-four opposition in Fremantle, St Kilda and Melbourne, a Round 12 date with the Suns at Carrara could well see the Roos claim their second win for the season.
18. West Coast (-1)
Across the course of the past fortnight, the West Coast Eagles have been nothing short of dismal.
Having only proven able to post an average of 44.5 points throughout their outings against Port Adelaide and Richmond, the former Perth powerhouse has allowed cricket scores of 117 and 165 points to be run up against them in reply.
Although Adam Simpson's side was afforded excuses due to injury and chaos caused by COVID, these justifications have become about as lame as their form given the fact that Cripps, Darling, Gaff, Hurn, Kelly, Kennedy, McGovern, Ryan and Shuey all featured last Friday.
And with Brisbane and Melbourne filling their card for the next fortnight, respite is unlikely to be out of claw's reach for these plucked birds of prey.
