The top 10 recruits to watch in 2021 and biggest grudge matches

Three star key forwards are ready to make a big impact at new clubs in 2021. Who wins the goalkicking race? VOTE

There were some big names trade jumpers during last year’s exchange period, and some interesting moves that flew under the radar.

As the build-up to season 2021 ramps up, here’s a list of the top 10 recruits we can’t wait to watch this season — and why.

1. JEREMY CAMERON (GEELONG)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Adelaide, March 20, Adelaide Oval

Grudge match: Round 21 v GWS Giants, August 7, GMHBA Stadium

KFC SuperCoach price: $388,100 (FWD)

Geelong threw everything at securing the services of the former GWS key forward during last year’s trade period – and why wouldn’t they? Cameron was a nine-time leading goalkicker at the Giants, a two-time All-Australian and the 2019 Coleman Medal winner. His 2020 season, like the Giants generally, was a little below par. However, he still averaged 1.4 goals a game in a struggling side. On a six-year deal worth $950,000 a season, the Cats will be hoping Cameron can have an instant impact alongside reigning Coleman Medal winner Tom Hawkins. Between them, the pair might just prove to be the most damaging forward duo in the competition this season.

New Cat Jeremy Cameron goes through his paces at training . Pic: Michael Klein

2. JOE DANIHER (BRISBANE)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Sydney, March 20, Gabba

Grudge match: Round 5 v Essendon, April 17, Gabba

KFC SuperCoach price: $233,300 (FWD)

The Lions took a gamble with Daniher, but if they can get his body right it could pay off like a Powerball jackpot. Ongoing groin issues limited Daniher to just 15 games across the past three years at Essendon, including four matches last season. But we’ve seen what Brisbane’s medical department have been able to do with the likes of injury-prone recruits Grant Birchall and Lincoln McCarthy and we know what a fully-fit Daniher is capable of. Big Joe was an All-Australian and best-and-fairest in his last full season in 2017, when he kicked 65 goals for 23 games for the Bombers. If he can recapture that fitness and form, watch out.

Brisbane has high hopes for new signing Joe Daniher. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

3. ADAM TRELOAR (WESTERN BULLDOGS)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Collingwood, March 19, MCG

Grudge match: Round 1 v Collingwood, March 19, MCG

KFC SuperCoach price: $587,600 (MID)

Collingwood made a mess of Treloar’s forced departure during trade period last year and while the midfielder himself won’t say he’s bitter, he will be keen to well against his old side in a mouth-watering Round 1 showdown. Treloar’s version of events is that he was told senior players at the Magpies did not want him, which he did not believe. But the Bulldogs did want him and made a strong pitch in a bid to bolster an already potent onball brigade. The Dogs already had five of the top 30 ranked midfielders in the competition last year. Treloar takes that number to six and is a player who has remarkably averaged at least 26.9 disposals a game for the past seven seasons.

4. BEN BROWN (MELBOURNE)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Fremantle, March 20, MCG

Grudge match: Round 7 v North Melbourne, May 1, Blundstone Arena

KFC SuperCoach price: $260,300 (FWD)

Will Ben Brown and Melbourne prove to be a match made in heaven? The Demons have been screaming out for a key forward target, having finished top-six for inside-50s in each of the past two seasons but failing to play finals. Brown has his knockers, but he can take a mark and kick a goal. In 2017 he ranked third in the competition for marks inside 50. He also kicked at least 61 goals in each of the three seasons from 2017-19. By comparison, Melbourne’s leading goalkicker last year was Bailey Fritsch with 22 majors. Brown was restricted to 10 games last season due to a knee injury, but the 200cm big man is back in full training and working to build chemistry at his new club.

Ben Brown at training with new club Melbourne at Casey Fields Picture: Michael Klein

5. ZAC WILLIAMS (CARLTON)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Richmond, March 18, MCG

Grudge match: Round 14 v GWS Giants, June 19, Giants Stadium

KFC SuperCoach price: $458,600 (DEF)

He couldn’t break into a strong GWS midfield with any great consistency, but Williams wants to spend more time on ball in Navy Blue. The question is, will he? Carlton is paying a hefty contract believed to be worth up to $900,000 a season for Williams – a price tag that is more fitting to premium midfielders than half-back flankers. Williams has taken over the No.6 jumper at Carlton from another defender in the retired Kade Simpson. But, at least for now, the Blues are indicating they will look to use the electric 26-year-old as part of a midfield group that has previously had plenty of inside grunt but a serious lack of speed.

Carlton recruit Zac Williams at training with the Blues. Pic: Tim Carrafa

6. JACK HIGGINS (ST KILDA)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v GWS Giants, March 21, Giants Stadium

Grudge match: Round 5 v Richmond, April 15, Marvel Stadium

KFC SuperCoach price: $419,600 (FWD)

The Saints got 29 goals out of another Richmond recruit in Dan Butler last year and will be hoping Higgins can deliver a similar number of “snags” alongside Butler in the forward line this season. It was purely circumstance that drove Higgins out of Richmond. The popular character at Punt Rd struggled to hold his spot in a strong side full of small forwards after returning from brain surgery. But the 2018 Goal of the Year winner is an excitement machine in full flight, works hard and has hopes of spending more time in the midfield at the Saints. Secured cheaply during last year’s trade period, the 21-year-old might just prove a steal.

Jack Higgins settles in at the Saints.

7. BRAD CROUCH (ST KILDA)

Expected first sighting: Round 3 v Essendon, April 3, Marvel Stadium

Grudge match: Round 13 v Adelaide, June 12, Cazaly’s Stadium

KFC SuperCoach price: $448,600 (MID)

There might be questions on his ball use at times, but there is no denying that Crouch is a ball magnet. He averaged at least 22 disposals a game across his six AFL seasons with Adelaide and the Saints expect the 27-year-old to have an immediate impact in his new colours. Crouch’s 2020 season was not his best and was clouded with controversy after he was caught by Queensland Police with drugs during post-season celebrations. That incident resulted in a two-game ban, which Crouch will have to serve in the first two rounds this season. But he is a player who won the Crows’ best-and-fairest in 2019 and the Saints believe will complement their existing midfield perfectly.

8. ISAAC SMITH (GEELONG)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Adelaide, March 20, Adelaide Oval

Grudge match: Round 3 v Hawthorn, April 5, MCG

KFC SuperCoach price: $397,600 (FWD/MID)

It might not be quite as bad as crossing from Carlton to Collingwood, but moving from Hawthorn to Geelong is not far off. Having spent a decade playing against Geelong – for eight wins and 12 losses – during a time of bitter rivalry, Smith now finds himself behind enemy lines. But he might also be able to find himself a fourth premiership at a second club as part of the icing the Cats have put on the cake after last year’s Grand Final loss. Smith is 32, but he only debuted at age 22 so is fresher than some of the AFL’s other veterans. He averaged 17 disposals on a wing for the Hawks last season and has served as a long-time member of the club’s leadership group.

Isaac Smith could be the missing piece of Geelong’s premiership puzzle.

9. JAIDYN STEPHENSON (NORTH MELBOURNE)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Port Adelaide, March 21, Marvel Stadium

Grudge match: Round 8 v Collingwood, May 8, Marvel Stadium

KFC SuperCoach price: $354,100 (FWD)

This one did not play out quite as messy as Adam Treloar’s exit from Collingwood, but Stephenson was still “shocked” to be tapped by the Magpies and told to find another home. He was a Pick 6 in the 2017 national draft and won the 2018 Rising Star award. But a poor 2020 season and Collingwood’s salary cap issues saw Stephenson put up for trade. The 22-year-old has no issues finding the goals. He has kicked 76 majors across 54 AFL games as a small forward. But Stephenson’s challenge at North Melbourne will be trying to find more of the ball to have a more of an impact more often. If he can return to his form of 2018 and 2019, he will put some spring in the struggling Kangaroos.

North Melbourne recruit Jaidyn Stephenson. Pic: Michael Klein

10. ADAM SAAD (CARLTON)

Expected first sighting: Round 1 v Richmond, March 18, MCG

Grudge match: Round 7 v Essendon, May 1, MCG

KFC SuperCoach price: $526,200 (DEF)

Top-three in a club best-and-fairest count one year, new club the next. It’s not a common scenario, but it is one Adam Saad finds himself in after crossing from Essendon to Princes Park. Entering only his seventh season in the AFL, Saad is set to play for his third club after starting his career with Gold Coast. But the Blues will be hoping his best football is still to come and he sticks around for the remainder of his career. The rebounding half-back can lockdown on opponents and also provides run and dash. He averaged 18.8 disposals and ranked 12th in the competition for average metres gained. Alongside fellow Blues recruit Zac Williams, Saad will certainly help give Carlton an exciting new look in 2021.