It was as unpredictable as it gets. Sydney and Hawthorn won in the same round, Geelong lost two in a row, GWS are vulnerable and Adelaide aren’t invincible.

Just two wins separate the second placed GWS from the thirteenth placed Carlton and the race for the premiership is as open as it’s been all season.

It’s still early days and a lot can change between now and September, but it’s time to roll out the best and the worst from an enthralling round seven.  

THE GOOD

Jack of trades

St Kilda’s resurgence to relevance is genuine, amassed with a host of Jacks in their side, Steele, Billings, Sinclair, Newnes and Steven.

Steele, a GWS convert and tackling machine, has been a particularly good addition this off season, whilst Steven and Billings were two of their best in the side’s 23-point win over GWS on Friday night.

What would really please Saints fans was that Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna both took backseats in their team’s victory, signaling a change of guard for this renewed footy club.

Waite no more

Jarryd Waite returned for North Melbourne from a shoulder injury in stunning fashion on Saturday. Waite booted six goals and assisted North Melbourne towards a 59-point belting of the previously unbeaten Adelaide.

North came out of the blocks hard and never looked back, piling on 10 goals in the first quarter, 3 of those Waite’s. The 64-0 opening period was the third highest first-quarter score in AFL history when one team was left scoreless. Waite also finished with 22 disposals.

Eight of the Buddy best

Buddy Franklin was back to his brilliant best on the weekend, kicking eight goals and willing Sydney to a 54-point win over Brisbane. Franklin’s game was highlighted by a trademark 80-meter goal from the SCG’s center square.

Isaac Heeney has overcome his battle with glandular fever and was prolific in Sydney’s first win for the season, recording 22 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles and 1 goal.

THE BAD

Unsafe travels 

Essendon have now lost in 12 of their last 15 trips to Perth. That’s odds even the heaviest of gamblers wouldn’t take.

Courtesy of a six goal to nothing final quarter, Fremantle ran away with a 37-point victory over the Bombers. A tough third game in thirteen days following Anzac Day may have finally caught up with Essendon.

Giant list of injuries

Even a side with as as much depth as GWS will be tested through these times. GWS lost two more players to injury on Friday, Adam Kennedy and Jacob Hopper, who were already without Brett Deledio, Lachie Whitfield, Nick Haynes, Matt Buntine, Ryan Griffen and Toby Greene.

Kennedy received the worst news possible after hurting his knee against the Saints, an ACL tear that will keep him out for 12 months.

Generally, the side that wins the premiership has had a good run of no injuries. The Giants will have to follow in the 2016 Bulldogs footsteps if they’re to buck that trend.

Key forwards on notice

Whilst it was a good weekend for the big boys in front of goal, a number of them have landed in hot water with the match review panel following some fiery incidents.

Waite and Franklin will each have cases to answer for despite playing magnificently. Tom Hawkins will likely get away with a fine for his trip, whilst the in-form Paddy McCartin may be waiting longer than he had hoped for a senior recall after a careless bump playing for Sandringham.

THE UGLY

Pies birthday bash

Celebrating their 125th year anniversary, Collingwood fizzled against their handpicked opponent, Carlton. Just like their 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th year celebrations before them, the Pies were again upstaged by their arch rival on their birthday.

The Blues ran away with a 23-point victory against the ‘in form’ Collingwood, who many thought had turned their season around last week in their upset victory over Geelong.

The loss turns up the pressure valve on Nathan Buckley’s future, a split from the Magpies now seems inevitable.

Dale Thomas would have enjoyed the post-game Magpie function more than anyone, after recording 20 disposals, 9 marks and kicking the game sealing goal against his old side.