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.
5. Jack Macrae
Despite the underwhelming team performance, St Kilda fans should be thankful for Jack Macrae's decision to join their club.
His effort on debut was the best for the Saints, possessing four hard-ball gets and winning a league-high 15 ground balls.
St Kilda took significant hits in the off-season, losing key players in free agency and to injury, so Macrae's addition to the midfield needed to work immediately. Luckily for them, it did, otherwise Sunday's outcome could have been far more severe.
The premiership Bulldog won 12 clearances for the game; seven more than the next Saint. His class is absolutely clear and has been needed badly in this Saints outfit.
Ultimately, Sunday's performance against the Crows was awful for St Kilda, dominated in most areas of the ground, but they were competitive in the midfield and that undoubtedly is thanks to the off-season pick-up of Macrae.
