The AFL's trade and free agency periods can be make or break windows for clubs as they look to bolster their playing lists for the next year.

In recent years, premierships have been won off the back of an off-season recruit, most notably Bobby Hill, who won the 2023 Norm Smith Medal for Collingwood in his first season at the club after requesting a move from GWS the prior year.

After Round 1, there are already multiple clubs reaping the rewards of their new signings, with several game-changing performances making headlines.

So, who's making the most impact in their new colours? We'll weekly rank the Recruit of the Year contenders for 2025, with Round 1 giving us plenty to consider.

Selection criteria: Only players who were on an AFL playing list at a different club in the prior season will be considered as recruits in these rankings.

7. Harry Perryman

Collingwood will be happy with the play of former Giant Perryman in the early stages of this season. Despite the brutal loss to his former team in Opening Round, Perryman was one of the best afield for Collingwood, collecting 27 disposals and stepping up in the midfield while Nick Daicos struggled with cramps.

He was quieter in Round 1 but used the ball effectively, picking up three score involvements from just 13 touches in Collingwood's rampage over the Power.

Where Perryman has been most outstanding, however, is of course on the defensive side of the footy. His 22 pressure acts were amongst the game-leaders against Port Adelaide, and he's been intercepting the football at a solid rate.

His role at the Magpies has shifted from his days at the Giants, now attending significantly more centre bounces than ever at 46.4%, but the game against Port Adelaide demonstrated he still can uplift the defence from that area of the field.

The Pies are all in this season and Perryman's ability to adapt to his new role has been important to their bounce back win after a poor Opening Round.