Ranking the FIVE best recruits for the 2024 AFL season so far

Through the likes of the trade and free agency periods, 34 players found new homes ahead of the 2024 season.

Of those who traded in for new club colours, four are yet to debut for their new club: Tom Doedee (Brisbane), Tom Fullarton (Melbourne), Joel Hamling (Sydney) and Matthew Flynn (West Coast).

Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney were the most active in the off-season, bringing a quartet of players into their respective clubs.

Melbourne and North Melbourne brought in three while Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast and GWS went to the draft instead.

Nearing the halfway mark of the 2024 season, it begs the question, which recruit has had the most impact?

Is it Ben McKay in defence for the Bombers, who currently sit second on the AFL ladder?

Has the acquisition of Brodie Grundy catapulted the Swans to the premiership that has eluded the club in 2014, 2016 and 2022?

Or is the controversial Jack Ginnivan tormenting Collingwood for their decision to let him walk to Hawthorn?

We take a look at the Top 5 recruits of 2024.

Notable mentions: Elijah Hollands (Carlton), Esava Ratugolea (Port Adelaide)

Your club's 2023 trade & free agency recruits

Adelaide: Chris Burgess
Brisbane: Tom Doedee
Carlton: Elijah Hollands
Collingwood: Lachie Schultz
Essendon: Xavier Duursma, Jade Gresham, Todd Goldstein, Ben McKay
Fremantle: None
Geelong: None
Gold Coast: None
Greater Western Sydney: None
Hawthorn: Jack Ginnivan, Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol, Massimo D'Ambrosio
Melbourne: Shane McAdam, Jack Billings, Tom Fullarton
North Melbourne: Zac Fisher, Bigoa Nyuon, Dylan Stephens
Port Adelaide: Esava Ratugolea, Ivan Soldo, Jordon Sweet, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Richmond: Jacob Koschitzke
St Kilda: Paddy Dow, Liam Henry
Sydney: Taylor Adams, Brodie Grundy, Joel Hamling, James Jordon
West Coast: Tyler Brockman, Matt Flynn
Western Bulldogs: Nick Coffield, James Harmes

James Jordon (Sydney)

The premiership Demon has arguably been the most bang-for-buck acquisition from the off-season.

Despite being a regular in 2021 and 2022, Jordon fell out of favour last year, being utilised as the substitute more often than not.

However, the switch to Sydney has been a masterstroke, with both the club and the individual benefitting from the move.

Jordon has been deployed in multiple roles across the 11 games so far, as is his versatility but has been most prominent when tagging an opposition player.

The 23-year-old has successfully curbed the likes of Jordan Clark and Sam Walsh, while recently sent to Bailey Dale and Ed Richards.

Jordan has rapidly developed strong offensive and defensive skills, making him a favourite of coach John Longmire.

Jack Ginnivan (Hawthorn)

The controversial Jack Ginnivan has always found himself at the centre of attention.

However, his time at Hawthorn has shown the AFL world that he's more than the free-kick-instigating, blond-hair rascal that he was tagged with at Collingwood.

Playing further up the field, Ginnivan's game nous is a lot more developed than his suggested age, while his goal-finding ability is impressive.

The premiership Pie has increased his contested possession rate, indicating his ability to find himself in the right position while also finding space to be an outlet for teammates.

Ginnivan is still ticking the scoreboard over with a goal a game as he has increased his involvement to 4.8, a career-best return.

Pressure has increased from the 21-year-old, laying 2.5 tackles a game while also recording 15.4 pressure acts week-to-week.

Jade Gresham (Essendon)

One of four inclusions to the Essendon line-up and third in this impressive list.

Jade Gresham has thrived in new colours throughout 2024, playing a more defined role in the Essendon system.

Gresham has been pivotal in connecting the defensive ball chains to the forwards, reflected by his 1.2 goal assists and 5.6 score involvements per game.

Despite a dip in disposals, the former Saint has been clean when the ball is in his vicinity whilst also applying pressure on the opposition.

Brodie Grundy (Sydney)

Arriving at his third club in two years, the expectation of Brodie Grundy wasn't set at an all-time high.

However, the competition quickly forgot just how good he was at Collingwood, receiving All-Australian blazers in 2018 and 2019 as the competition's best ruckman.

Grundy's acquisition has changed the look of the Swans midfield, which has injected Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner on a more permanent basis.

The former Pie has averaged 18.5 disposals, 5.4 clearances and 5.8 score involvements, but most impressively six tackles and 18 pressure acts a game.

Grundy's defensive work rate has epitomised Sydney's rise to premiership favourites, while his ruck craft hasn't faltered, directing 29.3% of hitouts to advantage.

Ben McKay (Essendon)

The influence the key defender is having at Essendon is prominent as the club has soared to second on the ladder.

McKay has slotted in seamlessly into the Bombers outfit, proving his price tag in spades under Brad Scott.

The former Kangaroo is averaging 12.9 disposals, 7.6 intercept possessions, 7.1 pressure acts, 5.7 marks and 4.8 spoils.

McKay also engages in 2.9 contested defensive one-on-ones per game, losing at a rate of 34%.