As previously mentioned, the wheelings and dealings of an off-season frequently pique the interest of some more than a fixtured game.
The above applies to many of us here at Zero Hanger... and as we've already delved into the 10 best single-season recruitment drives, we felt it only fair to highlight a list of lowlights.
With thanks again to the impeccable statistical records of Draftguru, here are, by year, the top ten worst recruitment classes from clubs in the AFL era based off averaged games played across respective crops.
For example, Hawthorn's 2004 crop of Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis is weighed down by five players from the same draft class playing a combined five matches.
7. Carlton (2014)
| Number of Players Recruited | Combined Games Played | Average Games |
| 13 | 149 | 11 |
ย Although Liam Jones has ameliorated his form, it is worth remembering that for many years he drew the ire of Carlton fans.
Currently with a tally of 76 games in Navy Blue, Jones has proven to be the only hit of a class of diabolical busts.
In addition to Jones from the Bulldogs, Carlton included another 12 players to their roster prior to the 2015 season, many of which came with high price tags.
Look away now, Bluebaggers, as this doesn't make for pretty reading โ Blaine Boekhurst (25 games), Jason Tutt (14), Mark Whiley (nine), Clem Smith (seven), Kristian Jaksch (seven), Matthew Dick (six), Brad Walsh (three), Tom Fields (two), Fraser Russell, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Jayden Foster and Billy Gowers (all zero).
If you'd like further salt to the wound, that is just 73 games or an average of six appearances each.
