The Crows' off-season period is paying dividends after they thumped Sydney in Round 12, with their two notable recruits both entering the Power Rankings for the first time.
A Docker is creeping back up the rankings while an All-Australian performance out west has solidified a star Cat's stranglehold on first place.
Who's making the most impact in their new colours? Welcome to the weekly rankings of the Recruit of the Year contenders for 2025, with Round 12 giving us plenty to consider.
4. Shai Bolton (+3)
20 disposals, three goals and a season-high six tackles. Shai Bolton is officially hitting his straps in the purple guernsey, the Dockers star recruit giving them life as they surge back into the top eight for the first time since Round 5.
Playing Gold Coast up north is a tough fixture and for Fremantle especially it appeared to be a challenging proposition, having won just once away from Optus Stadium this season, excluding Gather Round's neutral venue. But Shai Bolton ensured that trend would fail to reach the mainstream media, starring in what was ultimately a defensive chess match between the two coaches. He led the match in forward 50 disposals and ground ball gets and kicked two of his majors in the second half. His third and final goal was essentially the sealer, boosting Fremantle's lead to 20 points, a margin unassailable for the plucky Suns.
After the bye, Fremantle will play North Melbourne in what Bolton could only hope is a prime opportunity to deliver another bag of goals for his new club.
