It doesn't seem that long ago when most recruiting was done in December and January.
I'm sure it wouldn't have seemed long before that when most recruiting was done up till March.
These days it seems most of the clubs will sign players from as soon as the season finishes (sometimes earlier) and spend their salary cap right up until the draft trying to get players before other SANFL clubs step in.
Late recruiting (ie post AFL pre season draft) would only be used to cover players that had been unexpectedly lost in the drafts I'd imagine these days.
Only break that Managers of Football Departments at clubs would get these days might be a few days over Xmas, definatedly a 12 month of the year role these days.