It's not only the scoreboard pressure Eddie Betts is asserting on the Crows' opposition that would have him right in the running for this year's Malcolm Blight Medal, it's the goals he's setting up. Betts is thriving on coach Phil Walsh's desire for 'team football' and leads the club for goal assists as well as majors kicked. Scott Thompson is ranked second in the League for average contested possessions and clearances and despite missing the opening two games of the year he could still be leading after round seven. Patrick Dangerfield heads the Crows for inside 50s and would have drawn votes, as would ruckman Sam Jacobs who has continued his superb form from last year and is averaging 36 hit-outs a game. Last year's winner Daniel Talia has again been a rock in defence and routinely executes the role asked of him each week – given that it's the coaching staff who vote, Talia's contribution to the team should be reflected on the leaderboard. - Harry Thring

He was the biggest name to change clubs in the off-season and Dayne Beams is earning his money so far. The former Collingwood star would comfortably lead the Lions' count through seven rounds, ranking in the AFL's top 10 for disposals, clearances and contested possessions, and carrying a heavy load for an injury-hit midfield. Ruckman Stefan Martin has continued his strong form from the back half of 2014 and would be pushing Beams closely. After the top two, it gets a little more hit-and-miss, as inconsistency has racked both the team and its individuals. Former skipper Jed Adcock has been a rock on a wing and at half-back, while Daniel Rich and Jack Redden have done enough to fill the top five at this stage. Rich's best games have been elite, but he has had some dips, while Redden is improving as the season progresses. - Michael Whiting

Sam Docherty has stood firm in a defence that has been under an immense amount of pressure this season. Docherty has played every game, and leads the Blues in kicks (104), uncontested possessions (101) and intercept possessions (43) and is second in average metres gained (375). His 27-disposal performance in the 78-point loss to the Giants last Saturday was his biggest haul this season. The former Lion finished ninth in the best and fairest award in his first season with the Blues last year, polling 44 votes from 16 games. Veteran Chris Judd, a three-time best and fairest winner at Carlton, missed the Blues' only victory in 2015 against St Kilda in Wellington, but has been a solid contributor in the other games. In Carlton's system, five members of the match committee independently submit votes after each round. Each may award a maximum of 20 votes, but they are not compelled to award all or any of their votes. Skipper Marc Murphy and key midfielder Bryce Gibbs are past winners and would have collected votes in several games, while youngster Patrick Cripps has been impressive, winning a Rising Star nomination in round four.  – Howard Kotton 

Superstar skipper Scott Pendlebury has been quiet over the past fortnight, but is strongly favoured to claim his fourth Copeland Trophy and his third in a row. Pendlebury, who is set to play his 200th game on Saturday night when the Pies travel to the Gold Coast, has averaged 27.3 possessions (11 contested). Fellow three-time winner Dane Swan is also in the frame, having had four more possessions than Pendlebury, 15 more of the contested variety, 12 more clearances and kicking four more goals, scoring majors in all but one game. Swan has enjoyed three standout performances. Taylor Adams has also stepped up to the challenge in a depleted midfield to average 26 touches in six games, while Brodie Grundy has been a fierce competitor in the ruck, Tom Langdon and Marley Williams have rarely been beaten in defence and newcomer Jack Crisp has been a surprise packet as a run-with player. As for the voting system, Pies coach Nathan Buckley and assistants Robert Harvey, Ben Hart, Steve Grace and Scott Burns are each able to award up to 22 votes for each match. - Ben Collins

It might be a battle of the defenders if Essendon's best and fairest was counted after round seven, with Michael Hurley producing his best form to date. The 24-year-old's highest finish in a club championship was third in 2011, but he is on track to surpass that if he can continue his touch in the backline. Fellow defender Cale Hooker would also be near the top again after a second place in last year's award, while underrated lockdown defender Mark Baguley has been very consistent. Midfield pair Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell will again feature prominently in the first seven rounds of voting, while Travis Colyer is headed for his best finish. Essendon's best and fairest voting system sees four members if the match committee cast votes after every game, with a maximum of 10 votes for up to eight players each game. – Callum Twomey

Nat Fyfe is on track to win his third consecutive best and fairest with a remarkable season. He leads the AFL Coaches' Association award by 22 votes having polled 58 from a possible 70 votes across seven rounds. He is the favourite for both the Brownlow and a second consecutive AFL Players' Association MVP award. Five Fremantle coaches vote on the best and fairest each week. They give each member of the playing 22 votes from one to five. A player can receive a maximum 25 votes per game - only one 25-vote game was given last season but Fyfe could have received three already. The race for second is intriguing. David Mundy has polled 23 votes in the AFLCA award and Lachie Neale 21. Danyle Pearce, Matthew Pavlich and Stephen Hill have received 14 votes each. Pearce has polled in four games while Pavlich would have received consistent scores in the best and fairest. Aaron Sandilands has also been a key contributor each week and Michael Johnson has had a good year to-date. - Alex Malcolm

There would be little surprise if captain Joel Selwood is leading the way after the first seven rounds, but he faces stiff competition from Mark Blicavs and Mitch Duncan. Duncan was best afield against Richmond in round five and Collingwood in round six, but his momentum was halted when he broke his foot against the Sydney Swans at the weekend. Duncan is expected to be sidelined for up to three months. Blicavs' role as a tall midfielder is causing headaches for opposition teams. The 198cm running machine is averaging a career-high 19 disposals this season. However, Selwood's consistency cannot be overlooked and the way the three-time best and fairest winner impacts games fits perfectly with way votes are awarded. After each game the senior coach and four assistants allocate votes to all 22 players, with each player getting an overall score out of 20. To ensure players are not disadvantaged by injuries, being rested or for games in which they are the substitute, each player's highest-scoring 20 games of the season are added together to determine a final score. Veteran defenders Harry Taylor and Corey Enright continue to play at a high level and deserve their spots in rounding out the top five. –Ben Guthrie 

In a difficult season for the Suns to date, stand-in skipper Michael Rischitelli has shone like a beacon. The 29-year-old midfielder has averaged 26 disposals and six tackles and been a relentless worker, win or lose. It may be a surprise to outsiders, but first-year player Touk Miller would be closely pushing Rischitelli for the top spot. Miller has excelled as both a small forward and midfielder and is getting better the more matches he plays. Dion Prestia finished third in last year's count and is putting together another consistent season, averaging 28 disposals, while rookie-elevated defender Adam Saad would also sit comfortably in the top-four. His run-and-dash has been a highlight of Gold Coast matches so far. You could raffle the fifth spot, but despite being inconsistent, Harley Bennell might just sneak in. - Michael Whiting

Dylan Shiel could be an early Brownlow leader, after a lightning start to 2015. He had 26 touches and kicked three goals against Melbourne in round two, plus 39 disposals against Gold Coast two weeks later. Adam Treloar has taken his game to another level this season. He finds the footy at will and regularly hits the scoreboard, as shown by his 31 possessions and three goals against the Blues last week. Ruckman Shane Mumford is arguably the club's most important player. Averaging almost six tackles per game, his physical presence all over the ground is immense. Callan Ward hasn't seen many headlines thanks to the array of younger stars around him, but the co-captain is quite simply a gun. A born leader who had a season-high 31 touches in the club's best ever win over Hawthorn in round six. Jeremy Cameron has had a brilliant month of footy, kicking 17 goals in his last four games. He booted seven against the Hawks, and if not for some wasteful kicking in front of goal, would be leading the Coleman in a canter. - Adam Curley

The only certainty is that polling would be tight at the top. Reigning Peter Crimmins medallist Jordan Lewis has picked up where he left off and was probably leading the count before his two-week suspension. The ball magnet has averaged 35 touches – seven more than last season – but it's debatable whether he's maintained a lead under the polling system where players receive up to 16 votes cast by the five-coach match committee each match. Among the chasing pack would be four-time best and fairest Sam Mitchell (averaging 27 touches, missed one game), the ever-reliable Shaun Burgoyne (20) and wingman Isaac Smith (missed a game), who has gone to another level in 2015. The 26-year-old climbed into the top five at last year's medal count and has been in devastating touch, averaging 27 possessions and a goal. Jack Gunston (16 goals, eight marks), Jarryd Roughead (20 goals) and quiet achiever Grant Birchall (24, missed one game) would also be in contention. Luke Hodge (30 disposals) could still be in the mix, despite his three-game suspension.  – Travis King 

Given the Demons' award values consistency, with four match committee members giving each player a ranking out of 10, defender Tom McDonald would be the clear leader at this stage. He has not put a foot wrong in the first seven weeks, holding firm under extreme pressure at times. He has had 46 rebound 50s and averages 20 disposals. Nathan Jones has been less consistent than normal (he has won the club's past three best and fairest awards) but his good games have been more valuable, so once again he will be near the top of the club count at this stage. Heritier Lumumba, Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross have had their moments and have been relatively consistent. Small forward Jeff Garlett and key forward Jesse Hogan have been good for the Demons too, and will have polled well in a couple of games. – Peter Ryan 

Todd Goldstein is already in a strong position to claim his first Syd Barker Medal. The ruckman has made a flying start to 2015 and should have a handy lead in the Roos' best and fairest after seven rounds. Goldstein has finished third and second in the Roos' past two counts, consistency that suggests he can take out the major prize this year. From there the field becomes a lot more bunched, with Jack Ziebell probably leading the chasing pack ahead of Drew Petrie, who has rocketed into contention with outstanding performances in the past two rounds, and consistent midfield performers Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow. Brent Harvey should also be in the race after impressing in a new role across half-back, while North's leading goalkicker Lindsay Thomas (17) and former Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins have also made strong starts to 2015. North's best and fairest is awarded by its match committee, which gives a score out of five for as many players as it sees fit after each round. - Nick Bowen

Defenders Jasper Pittard and Alipate Carlile have both proven hugely important to the Power so far this season, with Pittard launching offensive drive and Carlile holding the club's back six together. Both are on track for career-best years and sit one-two for rebound 50s. Pittard's ability to move the ball forward has even earned him the nickname "Metre Man" from the Power's coaching staff. Reigning John Cahill Medalist Robbie Gray has been a star as he was last year, and even when Port has struggled this season he's fired. He leads the club for contested possessions and is equal first for inside 50s. Full forward Jay Schulz started solidly but has dropped away in recent weeks, reflecting the drop in form of the club as a whole. Tellingly, he's fired in each of the Power's three wins this year with hauls of four, five and five. - Harry Thring

Despite missing two games with a calf injury, Shane Edwards should still be leading the Jack Dyer Medal after seven matches. The important Tiger has spent more time in the midfield and ranks No.2 for average contested possessions and tackles. He was outstanding against Melbourne in round four. Big man Ivan Maric would not be far behind after carrying most of the ruck load and averaging 29 hit-outs. He has performed well against top ruckmen like Todd Goldstein and was one of the reasons the Tigers got over the line against Collingwood in round seven. Captain Trent Cotchin has won three of the past four best and fairest awards and would be polling well after his outstanding return to form against the Magpies. He was also close to unstoppable against the Brisbane Lions in round three. Defenders Alex Rance and Bachar Houli would likely round out the top five at this stage. After every game, the five members of Richmond's match committee cast votes for each of the team’s 22 players. Each player receives zero to five votes from each coach. – Nathan Schmook

David Armitage was given the challenge this season to stand up and be "the man" in the midfield following the retirement of Lenny Hayes, and the result has been a career-best start to the year. He had 45 possessions against the Western Bulldogs in round six and is averaging over 33 a game, with his influence not going unnoticed by opposition coaches given he's ranked equal third with Matt Priddis and Dylan Shiel in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. Behind Armitage would be Josh Bruce, who has also embraced the opportunity to be a key figure in the team with Nick Riewoldt playing only four games to date. Bruce has kicked 23 goals to be placed fourth in the race for the Coleman Medal. Jack Steven is also having a consistent season and is second to Armitage in disposals and leads the team in tackles, while Jack Lonie and Jack Billings have impressed in the forward line; Lonie with his persistent pressure and Billings with his poise and four goals against the Dogs. The process that deems the winner of the Trevor Barker Award sees each of the coaches vote confidentially after each game on a 0-4 vote basis. - Jennifer Phelan

Dan Hannebery has been the Swans' most consistent player this season; he's ranked fourth in the League for disposals, averaging 30 per game and had a season-high 37 against the Bulldogs in a losing effort, along with 10 tackles and 13 inside 50s. Luke Parker has been another weekly contributor for the Swans, his standout performance coming last week when he racked up 31 possessions and kicked five goals against the Cats. Lance Franklin hasn't had his radar working in 2015 but has still been the side's most dangerous and effective forward. Buddy has kicked 20.18 with his best a five-goal haul against GWS in round three. Josh Kennedy has been the inside king again in Sydney, averaging over 16 contested possessions and eight clearances per game. 250-gamer Jarrad McVeigh hasn't missed a beat since returning from a calf injury in round two, and his quarterback-type role in defence is crucial. - Adam Curley  

Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis would be leading the Eagles' best and fairest. He won in 2013 and finished second in 2010, 2011 and 2014. He's polled 32 votes in the AFL Coaches' Association award. For their best and fairest, the Eagles request five coaches give each player votes from one to three for each game. So a player can score a maximum of 15 votes per game. Priddis has gathered 25 touches or more in every game this year and has had 30 plus on three occasions. Josh Kennedy has also had a fantastic year so far kicking 27 goals. He has contributed in every game and has polled 21 votes in the AFLCA award. Jeremy McGovern has been a rock in defence although he missed a game last week. Elliot Yeo would have polled big votes in the last three weeks. Luke Shuey and Chris Masten have been consistent. Mark LeCras has been a match-winner in a couple of games while coach Adam Simpson has been full of praise for Nic Naitanui's performances so far. - Alex Malcolm

He's been the heart and soul of the Bulldogs' resurgence this season, so it should come as no surprise Robert Murphy would be favourite at this stage to take home his first Charles Sutton Medal. The captain is averaging 22 disposals while displaying passion, leadership and All Australian form across halfback. The 32-year-old's infectious love for the club and game has spread throughout his young team. Fellow veteran Liam Picken is also in career-best form, with the 28-year-old's move to an attacking midfield role seeing him average 22 disposals a game without neglecting his trademark defensive mindset. And Luke Dahlhaus has continued to grow as a player in 2015, with the 21-year-old impressing in his increased midfield role. – Ryan Davidson