The 2024 trade and draft windows formed a busy off-season for many AFL clubs.
Whether it was a big-name free agent on the move, a highly touted youngster capable of creating immediate impact, a steal late on draft night, or a low-cost trade filling a list need, each club found a player that helped shape their 2025 season.
This isn't a ranking of your club's best-performed recruit, but instead a player that outperformed what your club paid to get them - a player who addressed a list need, had an impact and played an important role in your team's system. Here's one recruit each AFL club nailed.
Hawthorn
Josh Battle
Battle arrived at Hawthorn in late 2024 as an unrestricted free agent on a lucrative six-year deal.
The Hawks would have been stoked with Battle's first season at Waverley. He was selected in the All-Australian 22 and proved an important part of the Hawks' defensive unit alongside fellow recruit Tom Barrass.
Often tasked with blanketing the opposition's best key forwards alongside Barrass, Battle averaged an impressive 18.5 disposals and 5.2 marks a game
Other recruits: Cody Anderson, Tom Barrass, Matt Hill, Noah Mraz, Jaime Uhr-Henry.
