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.
3. St. Kilda (2009)
| Number of Players Recruited | Combined Games Played | Average Games |
| 9 | 52 | 6 |
Following a narrow loss to Geelong in the 2009 Grand Final, former St. Kilda coach Ross Lyon felt the need for speed at Moorabbin.
Brett Peake (43 games) and Andrew Lovett (zero) were targeted by the Saints, however, the ultimate prize still alluded them.
A further seven players followed them south of the CBD, with three joining Lovett in failing to gain selection โ Jesse Smith, Tommy Walsh and Premiership Eagle Mark Hutchings.
Those that did play were Adam Pattinson (five games), Daniel Archer (one), Will Johnson (one) and Nick โDon't call me Nicky' Winmar (two).
Again, the narrative would have been altered had Lovett behaved and the Saints saluted in 2010.
