The seventh week of the AFL season saw a number of recruits live up to their pre-season hype as the power rankings begin to take shape.
A new leader has emerged out of the Bulldogs midfield, while three mainstay defenders solidify their positions in the top eight after big weekends.
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 7 giving us plenty to consider.
4. John Noble (+1)
Gold Coast's elite midfield was well-matched by the Swans on Sunday afternoon, but they found their impact elsewhere. The Suns' second-half turnaround and ultimate obliteration of the Swans was in large part thanks to their men down back, led by none other than John Noble.
Noble continued his fine form with a season-high 30 disposals and was involved in five scores, the majority of which came in the second half, where Gold Coast outscored Sydney 20-2 from defensive half scoring chains. He led the Suns in metres gained too with 584. Unsurprisingly, the Suns continue to produce scores from their defensive half at an elite rate with significant thanks to Noble, as only Brisbane and Carlton transition from defensive 50 to scores more often. Considering that only seven defenders average more than Noble's 4.9 score involvements per game, it's hard to look past just how important his recruitment has been for Hardwick's system.
After a disappointing loss to the Tigers last weekend, a bounce-back performance was much needed and Noble ensured the Suns delivered their fans just that, once again in the conversation for best on field, cementing himself into the top four of the Recruit of the Year Power Rankings.
