Key Hawks defender returns as Saints star falls: Recruit of the Year Power Rankings

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. Luke Parker (NEW) Despite criticism from many, it must be admitted that North Melbourne's trip to Western Australia to play two 'home' games was a resounding success. An impressive comeback over the Eagles in Bunbury followed by a heartbreaking six-point loss to the Dockers at Optus Stadium proved the Kangaroos' ability to be competitive and gave fans promise entering the back half of the season. The star player of this fortnight would have to be Luke Parker, who averaged 21 disposals across these two matches and kicked three goals. His influence was everywhere on the ground, crucial in setting up quality scoring opportunities for the Roos, who rank 16th in shots per game in 2025. His score involvement percentage of 27.1% is the third highest of his career, highlighting his importance to North Melbourne's winning brand of football. That was accentuated over the past fortnight, where his team-high 10 score involvements accounted for just shy of a third of North's scores. He was also directly involved in five of North Melbourne's 19 goals in WA, kicking three and assisting on two. The Kangaroos have a Carlton challenge brewing but Parker's recent offensive prowess will undoubtedly pose some problems for the Blues if it continues. Jack 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. Nick Haynes (-) The Blues' defence was outstanding on Sunday night, particularly in the first half. They allowed just 22 points from 20 inside 50s and 17 total scoring shots for the match, spearheaded by Nick Haynes and his clinical five spoils. Haynes also contributed to the Blues scoring 41 of their 86 points from the defensive half, generating five rebound 50s and a score launch from that end of the ground. With the emergence of Jack Silvagni as an All-Australian calibre defender as well as the usual poise of Jacob Weitering, Haynes is enabling Carlton's backline to turn into one of the strongest in the competition. The Blues have allowed just 987 points this season (third in the AFL) and only Collingwood concedes fewer opposition scoring shots per game. It becomes more apparent each week the role Haynes plays in that success as the Blues' top eight hopes mount. Tom Barrass (NEW) The Hawks stole victory from the jaws of defeat in brutal Tasmanian conditions, with the scrappy affair reaffirming Hawthorn's strength defensively. They held the Crows to just 31 points at the half, despite being convincingly outplayed in most areas of the ground and then, after managing to get the game back on their terms, conceded just 1.7 in the second half. A pivotal piece in this win, and their win last week against the Bulldogs, was Tom Barrass. He recorded a season-high 11 spoils against the Crows, foiling their inside 50 attempts by beating Riley Thilthorpe to the ball all night. Despite not being the quickest or most agile player, Barrass' effort could not be denied, holding the tall forward phenom to just three shots at goal, all resulting in behinds. He was also instrumental in locking down the Bulldogs' talls the week prior, a game-high seven spoils highlighting how he effectively minimised the impact of Rory Lobb and Buku Khamis. It's this spectacular form that will provide the Hawks a genuine tilt at the premiership in 2025, hence Barrass' return to the rankings this week. John Noble (-) The Suns' bye came at a good time for the club, providing them with a reset after losing their last two. However, with the lively Giants on the cards, the potential to lose a third straight is certainly there, meaning the pressure is on. That might especially be the case for John Noble, who struggled to make an impact against Geelong, recording just 12 disposals. The Giants are one of the best teams at limiting scores from chains beginning inside their defensive 50 and defensive half, third and fourth in the league respectively. Noble, as one of the premier players in the competition at generating rebound 50s, will be required to overcome the GWS system that has become so good at limiting the effectiveness of those kicks. Suns fans should have some confidence that he can prove his worth again, however, as he ranks eighth in kicking efficiency amongst players averaging at least 13 kicks per game, and is top 15 in metres gained per game. Shai Bolton (-) Bolton's impact was clear as Fremantle escaped with a six-point win on Saturday. His 21 disposals at 76% efficiency were scintillating as he found himself back in the forward 50, contributing to nine scores and kicking a goal of his own from there. His versatility has become an exciting weapon in the Dockers' arsenal. Against a weaker backline, Fremantle were able to fling Bolton forward to take advantage. He attended just 35% of centre bounces, his lowest rate since Round 8. It'll be interesting to see how he is utilised against Essendon this week, another team who have struggled defensively this season, opening up an opportunity for Bolton's All-Australian case to build further. Matthew Kennedy (-) Matthew Kennedy excelled on Thursday night despite the Saints laying a heavy tag on Marcus Bontempelli, who had torn St Kilda apart in Round 6. Attending just 44% of centre bounces, Kennedy won five clearances still and racked up 29 disposals. It feels like this is said every week, but Round 14 may have been the most complete performance from Kennedy yet this season. His 29 disposals are just two shy of a season-high, but 21 of them were effective, which is a season-high. In a mix of roles up the ground and down in the forward line, he always found a way to make an impact, kicking two goals and being involved in a further six scores, including a goal assist. In saying that, it feels harsh to keep him in second place in our rankings. In any other season, he's probably the best off-season recruit, but the Cats superstar above him is impossible to knock off. Bailey Smith (-) In Geelong's seven game win-streak to start the 2024 season, not a single player registered 30 disposals or more. In their current five-game win streak, Bailey Smith has recorded 30, 33, 38 and 41 disposals respectively. The one game he didn't play against Gold Coast in Round 13, Max Holmes recorded 40. In 12 months, Geelong has suddenly turned from a balanced, deep midfield with the capability of outplaying other midfield groups in the AFL, to a balanced, deep midfield with the expectation to dominate the middle of the ground every week. Their ball-winning strength has come from the unfurling of two superstars; Holmes and, of course, Smith. Smith and Holmes are Geelong's two best clearance-getters and runners, averaging 5.2 clearances per game each and a combined 1282.6 metres gained. That ranks them in the top two for both those metrics at Geelong. To put into perspective how rare it is for a player to dominate both inside the contest and outside on the run, only Nick Daicos, Noah Anderson, Finn Callaghan and Chad Warner rank as a top two clearance-getter and for metres gained at their respective clubs. Geelong, therefore, has two of the six players in this elusive club. Geelong's premiership hopes lie significantly with the play of Smith, but if the season so far is anything to go by, the Cats will be feeling grateful that he's the man to rely on.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Key Hawks defender returns as Saints star falls: Recruit of the Year Power Rankings – Round 14

See which recruits are having the most impact at their new clubs after Round 14 👇

3Shai Bolton (-)

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