We play the game as it should be played.

The immortal lyrics of the Cats theme song are never more apt than right now.

At the end of round seven, the Cats sit second on the ladder with the best percentage in the AFL, the equal most quarters won in 2016, the second best points for and the second lowest points against.

Without the defence that is so hard to score against, the Cats would not be able to set up so many attacking forays.

Interestingly, unlike the days when the Cats scored at will in the 90s on the back of Gary Ablett booting extraordinary bags of goals, the attacking Cats of 2016 share the goals like never before.

Main focal point Tom Hawkins booted another three goals on the weekend to move to 17 for the year and 11th in the Coleman medal but the supporting cast of Steven Motlop (13), Shane Kersten (12), Josh Caddy (nine) and Patrick Dangerfield (seven) are all averaging at least a goal a game.

Kersten in particular has been immense for the Cats this season and his last four weeks has him averaging three goals a game whilst splitting packs, tackling hard and he also earned this week’s Home Hardware Hard Play of the Week.

Whilst not as sexy as booting goals, the work of the defence is equally impressive over the last four weeks. They’re averaging a measly 57 points against on the back of terrific spoiling, great tackling and intercept marking.

Which leaves us with the midfield, which, as a good modern AFL side should do, is doing both the attacking forays but also the defensive running. The impressive improvement of Steven Motlop over the last month has seen him average 23.5 disposals, 2.5 goals, 3.25 running bounces and 4.75 inside 50s. The Cats midfield depth which now includes Rhys Stanley, Zac Smith, Mark Blicavs, Joel Selwood, Dangerfield, Caddy, Motlop, Menzel, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan and the occasional Jimmy Bartel is as deep as you get in the AFL.

But as with the 2016 season of AFL football, no one can rest on their laurels and if the Cats want to be the “Greatest Team of All” they’ve got another 19 weeks of this brand of football to go.