With six weeks of the marathon run, the line between contenders and pretenders is becoming much more opaque.

Although 94.4% of the competition's 18-teams have now put a win on the board, the gap between first and last is still chasmic.

As we edged toward the end of the season's second month, the question marks surrounding every side – whether they are leading the league or languishing – are still aplenty.

With Round 7 set to start this Friday night, we have cast an eye across each of the league's combatants and have sought to answer the key questions facing each and every one of them.

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Richmond

Who replaces Dusty?

With Dustin Martin currently across the ditch visiting his Dad, his footballing father, Damien Hardwick, will need to find his replacement swiftly before their season's ledger becomes negatively skewed.

Having already announced a debutant in Riley Collier-Dawkins for their Friday night clash against the Bulldogs, the Tigers' midfield stocks have been boosted.

However, Martin's role as a hybrid mid/forward should fall at the feet of a 22-year-old that currently holds a place in the side.

Last season when Dion Prestia went down with injury, Western Australian Shai Bolton stepped up to the plate by moving from the forward 50 into the centre square.

Throughout the 11-game stint that the former Sun was sidelined, Bolton averaged 17.5 disposals and 4.5 clearances across the shortened quarters. The offensive minded Tiger cub also managed five majors as well.

Although nobody – unless I am unaware that a late seventies version of Leigh Matthews has been cloned – has the ability to truly replace ‘Dusty' and replicate his big game efforts, the kid from Katanning should be given first opportunity at trying to.

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