Looking back on the closest round of football since 1970, it is clear many difference makers in the thrillers were off-season recruits, some players playing pivotal roles in clutch moments.
A Cat has returned to the pinnacle after another staggering display, while a Kangaroos veteran is rising up the ranks as North Melbourne secured a draw with the reigning premiers.
Who's making the most impact in their new colours? Welcome to the weekly ranking of the Recruit of the Year contenders for 2025, with Round 9 giving us plenty to consider.
4. Jack Macrae (-1)
Carlton held Jack Macrae decently well on Friday night, hence his slip in our Recruit Rankings, but his importance to St Kilda's withering Finals dreams is impossible to ignore.
Macrae notched another 23 disposals this weekend and was involved in five scores but couldn't get the same result in the contest as he did in St Kilda's boilover win against Fremantle, collecting just two clearances, one tackle and nine contested possessions against the Blues, all season lows.
If the Saints are to continue to prove people wrong in 2025, they need to find ways to get Macrae more involved in matches like this, because without his efforts, they fall short across the board, with their 33 clearances and 109 contested possessions on Friday night well below their season average.
