The Recruit is an Australian rules football reality television series that aired on Fox8 from 16 July 2014 to 21 September 2016.
The winner of the show was drafted to an Australian Football League (AFL) club's rookie list via a special draft in September at the end of each series. They were listed as a Category B rookie (i.e. the same as an international player or someone who had not played for more than three years).
The first series was hosted by Ryan Fitzgerald and featured Michael Voss as the head coach. Mick Malthouse replaced Voss as head coach for the second series. Other key members of the program are former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon as Assistant Coach, Leigh Russell as the Elite Performance Manager, and Port Adelaide fitness coach Darren Burgess as the High Performance Coach.
Contestants must not have been previously selected to an AFL club list, be over 20 years of age, and have not played in a senior state league in the past two years.
On 18 September 2014, the series was renewed for a second season. Originally scheduled to air in 2015, it was later announced it would air in 2016 due to multiple factors, one of which was the departure of Voss as coach.
On 3 August 2015, it was announced Gary Buckenara would be a scout in the second season, and that Fitzgerald will not return as host (although he did return as host for the live finale). The second and final season began on 20 July 2016.
Series overview Season Episodes Originally aired Season premiere Season finale 1 10 2 10
Season 1 Contestants The final squad of 13 players was selected from 50 contestants.
Name Club State/Country Position Comments Status References Tasman FC SA Forward Had signed with Central District Winner, signed with Port AdelaideThe Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse Aspley AFC Qld Ruck/forward Former captain of the AIS volleyball team Runner-Up The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse Geelong West St Peters FC Victoria Midfield Delisted in Episode 10 The Recruit, Geelong Advertiser WA Utility Played basketball for Gillette College Delisted in episode 9 The Recruit Ireland Ruck Introduced in episode 3, Delisted in episode 9. However he was signed by Geelong. The Recruit Rye Football Club Victoria Midfield/forward 2013 Cheatley Medalist Delisted in episode 9 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse Old Xaverians Victoria Forward Delisted in episode 8 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse Darley FC Victoria Midfield Delisted in episode 7 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse USA Forward/ruck Introduced in episode 3 Delisted in episode 6 The Recruit, US combine Billiluna Community WA Ruck/forward Highly rated 2011 AFL draft prospect Delisted in episode 6 The Recruit, WAFL Lancelin Ledge Point FC WA Centre half-forward/Centre half-back Previously played for East Perth FC Son and brother of golfers Wayne and Kristie Smith Delisted in episode 5 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse South Launceston FC Tasmania Midfield Delisted in episode 4 The Recruit, Aspley AFC Queensland Backline Delisted in episode 4 The Recruit, AFL draft profile Macquarie University AFC NSW Centre half-forward Delisted in episode 3 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse Manly Warringah FC NSW Half-forward/midfield 2013 Phelan Medalist Delisted in episode 2 The Recruit, Fox Sports Pulse
Season 1 episodes (2014) No. Title Original air Date Overnight Australian viewers
Season 2 Contestants The final squad of 15 players was selected from 50 contestants.
Name Age Club League Hometown Position Status References 26 Yeronga South Brisbane FCQueensland FA Morningside, Queensland Full forward / ruck Winner, signed with Brisbane Lions The Recruit 21 Cable Beach FC West Kimberley FA Broome, WA Midfield / half-forward Runner-Up The Recruit 23 Heidelberg FCNorthern FL Macleod, Victoria Centre half-forward Delisted in Episode 10 The Recruit 27 North Broken Hill FCBroken Hill FL Broken Hill, NSW Midfield Delisted in Episode 9 The Recruit 24 Noble Park FCEastern FL Melbourne, Victoria Half-back Delisted in Episode 9 The Recruit 23 East Coast Eagles Sydney AFL Quakers Hill, NSW Midfield / half-back Delisted in Episode 8 The Recruit 21 Lindenow FC East Gippsland FL Lindenow, Victoria Midfield / half-forward Relinquished his position in the competition in Episode 7 The Recruit 26 Mt Eliza FCMornington Peninsula Nepean FL Nunawading, Victoria Full forwardDelisted in Episode 6 The Recruit 21 Rye FCMornington Peninsula Nepean FL Rye, Victoria Wing / half-forwardDelisted in Episode 5 The Recruit 23 Saints FC Newman FL Newman, WA ForwardDelisted in Episode 5 The Recruit 21 Rupertswood FCRiddell District FL Melbourne, Victoria Half-backDelisted in Episode 5 The Recruit 20 Balwyn FCEastern FL Balwyn, Victoria WingDelisted in Episode 4 The Recruit 25 Essendon Doutta StarsEssendon District FL Point Cook, Victoria MidfieldDelisted in Episode 3 The Recruit 22 Diggers Rest FCRiddell District FL Sunbury, Victoria Half-forward / half-backDelisted in Episode 2 due to injury The Recruit 22 Pyramid Hill FCLoddon Valley FL Kealba, Victoria Wing / half-forwardDelisted in Episode 1 The Recruit
Season 2 episodes (2016)
Guests
Guest Episode Anthony Koutoufides 1 Brent Harvey 1 Corey Enright 1 Dermott Brereton 1 Dustin Fletcher 1 Jason Akermanis 1 Ian Thorpe 4 Jonathan Brown 4, 9 Stephanie Rice 4 Cathy Freeman 5 Barry Hall 6, 9 Ryan Fitzgerald 6 Paul Licuria 7 David Reynolds 7 Lauryn Eagle 8 Shane Warne 8 Brendan Fevola 9 Kevin Sheedy 9
See also
List of Australian television series
References
External links