As previously mentioned, the wheelings and dealings of an off-season frequently pique the interest of some more than a fixtured game.
The above applies to many of us here at Zero Hanger... and as we’ve already delved into the 10 best single-season recruitment drives, we felt it only fair to highlight a list of lowlights.
With thanks again to the impeccable statistical records of Draftguru, here are, by year, the top ten worst recruitment classes from clubs in the AFL era based off averaged games played across respective crops.
For example, Hawthorn's 2004 crop of Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis is weighed down by five players from the same draft class playing a combined five matches.
10. St. Kilda (2010)
| Number of Players Recruited | Combined Games Played | Average Games |
| 9 | 110 | 12 |
After failing to win a single Premiership across three Grand finals in just two years, St. Kilda picked up a mixture of experience and youth following the 2010 season.
Tried and tested names such as Dean Polo (21 games) and Ryan Gamble (11) joined the Saints from rival clubs, with youngsters Jamie Cripps (16), Arryn Siposs (28), Tom Curran (25), Tom Ledger (eight) and Jackson Ferguson (one) also joining them at Moorabbin.
Also selected that season were Sam Crocker and Warwick Andreoli, however, both failed to make their AFL debut.
In total, that is nine players in the door for a combined tally of just 110 senior games. No wonder the Saints went south quickly.
Despite proving unable to secure a senior spot, Siposs has kicked on as a punter on the Detroit Lions’ roster.
