Zero Hanger's top two recruits have solidified their positions at the top of our Recruit Rankings after a pair of monster performances during Round 14.
A new Hawk impressed mightily in the frigid Tasmanian conditions to return to the top eight, while a Saints midfielder's plunge continues after being thoroughly outclassed on Thursday night.
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 14 giving us plenty to consider.
7Jack Macrae (-2)
St Kilda's star acquisition of the 2024 off-season looked to be one of the best additions of 2025, but after a return from injury left much to be desired, it's becoming apparent that the Saints need more from their most important midfielder.
Obviously, it is understandable that Macrae is still working his way back from injury and was still shaking off some rust on Thursday night. Additionally, he was one of the Saints' clearance leaders with six, matching the Bulldogs' star-studded unit in that metric for the match.
However, the Saints lost this game around the contest, downed in the stoppage clearance battle 27-24, and the contested possessions 129-110. 110 contested possessions is their second-fewest in a game this year and the only time they had fewer, Macrae wasn't playing. The Saints needed - and expected - a spark from Macrae in the contest on Thursday to give them any chance of winning and he ultimately dished out 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions and four stoppage clearances, all well below his season averages.
Macrae still was one of the best Saints on the ground on Thursday, but in a 72-point loss, that doesn't mean much. He'll need to lift, along with the rest of the team, if they're to challenge Collingwood next weekend.
