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.
2. Matthew Kennedy (-1)
It feels slightly cruel to knock Kennedy off his perch considering the impact he had for the Bulldogs on Saturday night, but it is clear his role has reduced slightly since the Bulldogs' midfield returned to full strength.
Despite that, Kennedy's form has hardly dropped, now becoming a forward nightmare for the opposition, kicking three first-half goals against Gold Coast, the most he's scored in a single game since 2019. Presenting up on half-forward enabled him to take a season high seven marks too, and he still possessed the same hunger at the contest that made him so important for the Dogs midfield while without Bontempelli, his seven tackles only outdone by Liberatore's ten.
While the Bulldogs will rue their missed opportunities late, Kennedy's play has become paramount to their success, so much so that it's hard to imagine where they'd be without him.
