The superstar recruits of the 2025 season all produced performances to remember in Round 8, with three midfielders proving to be difference makers for their new clubs.
A Saints midfielder has climbed the Power Rankings after a career night, while the top two have cemented themselves in place for the time being after two high-impact matches that led their teams to victory.
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 8 giving us plenty to consider.
While North Melbourne still are unable to find a way to win the close ones, Luke Parker's impact on the club continues to exceed many expectations for him coming into the season. He posted another efficient 20 disposals in Thursday night's loss to Essendon as well as six tackles. It brings his overall statistical output up to 24 disposals per game and 4.3 tackles per game, eerily similar figures to his 2021 season, where he won Sydney's best and fairest medal.
While the Kangaroos have been disappointing in 2025 and many fans have become rightfully frustrated with the competitive losses, it's not unfair to suggest things could be worse without the poise of veteran Luke Parker on the field.
Dan Houston returns to the Power Rankings after finding his rhythm in his second game back from suspension. He was excellent with ball in hand against Geelong; five score involvements, three rebound 50s from his 20 disposals and six marks on Saturday night.
The trade for Houston, which many thought might be an overpay initially, is panning out brilliantly for the Magpies. The half-back is making a huge difference for the Pies, and if they end up winning a second premiership in three years, he'll undoubtedly be on the MCG lifting the cup.
Adelaide's domination of the Blues has ensured they are still viewed as a contending side, with Neal-Bullen's consistency becoming pivotal to the club staking that claim.
Neal-Bullen kicked another two goals on Saturday afternoon, both occurring in a fiery first quarter as the Crows established control. Neal-Bullen took advantage of Carlton's slower defensive work rate, picking up a team-high eight ground ball gets and taking half of his marks inside 50. He was involved in a further six scores this weekend as well, now averaging over six per game this season.
In 2024, the Crows had just three players averaging over six score involvements per game. In 2025, they currently have seven. It's evident Adelaide have needed some consistent offensive production from a wider spread of players to get back into top eight contention and Neal-Bullen has helped contribute that for them since being recruited in the off-season.
Battle thrived against the lowly Tigers, using the ball extremely well as Hawthorn walked away as 65-point victors. 31 of Battle's 33 disposals were effective, taking advantage of Richmond's poor ball use in attack. Battle took 12 marks, four being intercepts, in addition to his ten intercept possessions overall. He was also involved in seven Hawks scores, directly assisting on two goals.
While not much can be expected from Tigerland in 2025, holding any team to just 14 scoring shots is impressive nonetheless. The Hawks' defence continues to cement themselves within the league's best, conceding the fourth fewest points per game. They've been anchored by the immense play of Battle, who continues to average career-highs in disposals, score involvements and rebound 50s this season, while elevating Hawthorn's scoring chains from defensive 50 to amongst the league's best.
Noble's elite performance in the 28th Q-Clash will probably go unnoticed due to the Suns poor effort on the scoreboard, just 14 scoring shots for a final score of 49. But Noble's ball-winning ability and composure in the backline should be recognised as this game could have turned into a significantly worse loss for the Suns.
Defensively, Noble recorded three spoils and won both of his contested defensive one-on-ones. He stood out in a tight first half, where the Lions struggled to create high-danger goal-scoring opportunities.
Noble's respect should come from his attempts to get the Suns' attack firing, however, with 22 of his 26 disposals being effective as he generated a team-high six rebound 50s. Considering the conditions, this was an unreal performance from Noble, and it's the kind of pedigree Hardwick demands from his group as they search for the club's first ever Finals berth.
Jack Macrae returned to the form we saw in his first month of 2025 as the Saints utterly rocked the Dockers. Macrae was instrumental in the win and will almost certainly poll three votes in the Brownlow count, collecting 38 disposals and winning an absurd 14 clearances - a career-high effort. His 25 contested possessions were also a career-high, a feat he hasn't achieved since Round 9, 2018.
The Dockers simply had no answer for the former Bulldog in the middle as he demonstrably controlled the game from the onset, involved in ten scores, taking six marks and laying eight tackles.
The Saints' form had been rocky until this weekend, so it's become apparent that Macrae's influence is vital to their success. If he's locked down, St Kilda significantly struggle to win the contest battle, highlighting the importance of his offseason recruitment for their Finals' hopes.
Bailey Smith is the ultimate entertainer. Hate him or love him, he is playing an electric brand of football in 2025 and has catapulted Geelong's premiership status up several notches, despite the club losing many key players to injury that easily could have derailed their season.
He was at his best again against the Magpies on Saturday night, raking in a game-high 34 disposals at 74% efficiency, kicking a goal and generating a team-high six inside 50s. His heat at the centre bounce was monumental against a stacked Collingwood midfield, playing a crucial role in Geelong's clearance wins, as well as around the stoppage.
Smith has been destructive this season, averaging career-highs in practically every statistical category you can think of. He seems to elevate his game in the big clashes, the hype mounting for his revenge match against the Bulldogs in Round 11.
The Western Bulldogs have raucously stamped their claim as one of the league's premiership favourites after brutally thumping Port Adelaide in Ballarat on Saturday. Kennedy's impact on the Bulldogs' rise was felt once again, his 26 disposals and team-high 13 contested possessions a difference maker as the Dogs' midfield overran a timid Power midfield.
Kennedy was a hound at the drop of the ball, winning 11 clearances and seven ground balls - including three inside 50 - in addition to those 13 contested possessions. The Bulldogs scored eight goals from their 10 forward 50 stoppage clearances, Kennedy directly assisting on one of those goals.
But the Dogs' centre clearance dominance was also a difference maker. While Kennedy has been forced out of the middle since Bontempelli's return from injury, attending just 65% of centre bounces the last three weeks, he has dominated when there, recording a season-high four centre clearances against Port Adelaide and laying eight tackles.
The Bulldogs depth has been a staggering revelation for the club in 2025 considering their injury hits and losing two players who rank second and third in these power rankings. Now, in large thanks to Matthew Kennedy, they've managed to not just tread water but ascend back into the premiership conversation.
