From the article below there is a list of 'notable' player salaries taken from the Herald Sun's Rich List which attempted to estimate/ compile a list of the highest-paid players in the competition for 2025.

https://www.zerohanger.com/revealed-the-100-highest-paid-players-in-the-afl-167756/

Those that can view the HS article might fill in some of the gaps especially related to Demon and other leading players.

The Notable Names

• 100 - Jason Horne-Francis ($650-$750k)

• 97 - Harrison Petty ($650-$750k)

• 96 - Tyson Stengle ($650-$750k)

• 94 - Riley Thilthorpe ($675-$775k)

• 85 - Liam Baker ($700-$800k)

• 79 - Griffin Logue ($700-$800k)

• 77 - Jesse Hogan ($725-$825k)

• 75 - Bailey Smith ($750-$850k)

• 72 - Daniel Rioli ($750-$850k)

• 63 - Harry McKay ($750-$850k)

• 58 - Darcy Fogarty ($800-$900k)

• 55 - Harry Perryman ($800-$900k)

• 52 - Jack Sinclair ($800-$900k)

• 44 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($800-$900k)

• 39 - Dan Houston ($850-$950k)

• 34 - Jack Lukosius ($900-$1m)

• 26 - Rowan Marshall ($900-$1m)

• 14 - Tim English ($1m-$1.1m)

• 10 - Nick Daicos ($1m-$1.1m)

• 9 - Marcus Bontempelli ($1m-$1.1m)

• 8 - Brodie Grundy ($1m-$1.1m)

• 7 - Connor Rozee ($1.05m-$1.15m)

• 6 - Tim Kelly ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 5 - Shai Bolton ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 4 - Errol Gulden ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 3 - Christian Petracca ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 2 - Clayton Oliver ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 1 - Tom Lynch ($1.45m-$1.55m)

These are best guesses and don't account for front/back loading etc.

The only Geelong players are Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith but the others may be in the full list. The comment for him is: Bailey Smith's figure isn't as intoxicating as his football prowess, but sponsorship deals and outside commitments would likely see him dominate off and on the field. imv, that is a virtual admission Geelong is using off-the-books means to reward players to stay under the sal cap!!!

Lots of captains missing in the top 10!! eg Cripps ... maybe Carlton have uncovered more brown paper bags and their sponsors are being very friendly to players ala Geelong sponsors/3rd parties and actual $ payments are kept low.

It would not be unreasonable to think sal cap rorting is widespread.

We seem the outlier to have two players earning plenty of cash sitting 2 and 3; perhaps we don't have that type of sponsor 🙅🏻‍♀️

Edited September 3Sep 3 by Lucifers Hero

In recent times elite players have toyed with the idea of of being traded but their long-term, lucrative contracts are like handcuffs to their club. Most recently Curnow and Merrett.

I wonder how long before players realise that all those millions aren't worth giving up a chunk of control over their career.

Youngsters like NWM and Reid may be wiser by signing short (two year) deals similar to Bontempelli throughout his career.

Edited September 3Sep 3 by Lucifers Hero

Can’t open links, when do the Brisbane Lions start appearing?

10 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Can’t open links, when do the Brisbane Lions start appearing?

The links work but a subscription is required to read the HS article.

Both

46 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

From the article below there is a list of 'notable' player salaries taken from the Herald Sun's Rich List which attempted to estimate/ compile a list of the highest-paid players in the competition for 2025.

https://www.zerohanger.com/revealed-the-100-highest-paid-players-in-the-afl-167756/

Those that can view the HS article might fill in some of the gaps especially related to Demon and other leading players.

The Notable Names

• 100 - Jason Horne-Francis ($650-$750k)

• 97 - Harrison Petty ($650-$750k)

• 96 - Tyson Stengle ($650-$750k)

• 94 - Riley Thilthorpe ($675-$775k)

• 85 - Liam Baker ($700-$800k)

• 79 - Griffin Logue ($700-$800k)

• 77 - Jesse Hogan ($725-$825k)

• 75 - Bailey Smith ($750-$850k)

• 72 - Daniel Rioli ($750-$850k)

• 63 - Harry McKay ($750-$850k)

• 58 - Darcy Fogarty ($800-$900k)

• 55 - Harry Perryman ($800-$900k)

• 52 - Jack Sinclair ($800-$900k)

• 44 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($800-$900k)

• 39 - Dan Houston ($850-$950k)

• 34 - Jack Lukosius ($900-$1m)

• 26 - Rowan Marshall ($900-$1m)

• 14 - Tim English ($1m-$1.1m)

• 10 - Nick Daicos ($1m-$1.1m)

• 9 - Marcus Bontempelli ($1m-$1.1m)

• 8 - Brodie Grundy ($1m-$1.1m)

• 7 - Connor Rozee ($1.05m-$1.15m)

• 6 - Tim Kelly ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 5 - Shai Bolton ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 4 - Errol Gulden ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 3 - Christian Petracca ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 2 - Clayton Oliver ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 1 - Tom Lynch ($1.45m-$1.55m)

These are best guesses and don't account for front/back loading etc.

The only Geelong players are Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith but the others may be in the full list. The comment for him is: Bailey Smith's figure isn't as intoxicating as his football prowess, but sponsorship deals and outside commitments would likely see him dominate off and on the field. imv, that is a virtual admission Geelong is using off-the-books means to reward players to stay under the sal cap!!!

Lots of captains missing in the top 10!! eg Cripps ... maybe Carlton have uncovered more brown paper bags and their sponsors are being very friendly to players ala Geelong sponsors/3rd parties and actual $ payments are kept low.

It would not be unreasonable to think sal cap rorting is widespread.

We seem the outlier to have two players earning plenty of cash sitting 2 and 3; perhaps we don't have that type of sponsor 🙅🏻‍♀️

Cripps is missing but so is Gawn. How many Captains are in the list? (Serious question)

1 minute ago, praha said:

Both

Cripps is missing but so is Gawn. How many Captains are in the list? (Serious question)

Hence my question in the OP!

I can't see the complete list in the HS article.

I would expect most captains to be in the top 10.

it's a guess

previously, when gus brayshaw was on the list, he was scathing about it on the gus & gawny podcast saying he WISHED he was paying what they had guessed at

dees on the list:

2 - clayton oliver: $1.2-1.3m
3 - christian petracca: $1.2-1.3m
33 - max gaw: $900k-$1m
46 - kysaiah pickett: $800-900k
68 - jack viney: $750-850k
81 - jake lever: $700-800k
82 - steven may: $700-800k
97 - harrison petty: $650-750k

Pickett is on over a million with his new deal.

And Trac and Clarry's deals are back ended, hence their salary has gone up as the cap has increased.

51 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Can’t open links, when do the Brisbane Lions start appearing?

Do we really believe Daicos is only the 10th best paid player? Petracca and Oliver Contracts are almost 5 years old. I can't believe others haven't surpassed them in that period.

Even more, where are the Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfields?

Tim English & Tim Kelly, wowsers.....

8 minutes ago, SFebes said:

Tim English & Tim Kelly, wowsers.....

Rowan Marshall too.

Imagine English and Marshall making more than our selfish 'won't play with any other ruckman and only wants his AA jackets' captain 🙃

43 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

Do we really believe Daicos is only the 10th best paid player? Petracca and Oliver Contracts are almost 5 years old. I can't believe others haven't surpassed them in that period.

Even more, where are the Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfields?

Given that both Petracca and Oliver screwed the club as much as they possibly could, it is not surprising that they remain towards the top of the list. Other star players have struck a better balance between taking a fair wage and allowing their clubs to add other quality players.

Cameron is #17 ($950K - $1.05M), Dangerfield is off his big contract and is not on the list.

10 minutes ago, poita said:

Given that both Petracca and Oliver screwed the club as much as they possibly could, it is not surprising that they remain towards the top of the list. Other star players have struck a better balance between taking a fair wage and allowing their clubs to add other quality players.

Cameron is #17 ($950K - $1.05M), Dangerfield is off his big contract and is not on the list.

How can Cameron be paid so low? He is a top 10 player in the league, should be at 1.2 million minimum. Equalization my [censored].

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

From the article below there is a list of 'notable' player salaries taken from the Herald Sun's Rich List which attempted to estimate/ compile a list of the highest-paid players in the competition for 2025.

https://www.zerohanger.com/revealed-the-100-highest-paid-players-in-the-afl-167756/

Those that can view the HS article might fill in some of the gaps especially related to Demon and other leading players.

The Notable Names

• 100 - Jason Horne-Francis ($650-$750k)

• 97 - Harrison Petty ($650-$750k)

• 96 - Tyson Stengle ($650-$750k)

• 94 - Riley Thilthorpe ($675-$775k)

• 85 - Liam Baker ($700-$800k)

• 79 - Griffin Logue ($700-$800k)

• 77 - Jesse Hogan ($725-$825k)

• 75 - Bailey Smith ($750-$850k)

• 72 - Daniel Rioli ($750-$850k)

• 63 - Harry McKay ($750-$850k)

• 58 - Darcy Fogarty ($800-$900k)

• 55 - Harry Perryman ($800-$900k)

• 52 - Jack Sinclair ($800-$900k)

• 44 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($800-$900k)

• 39 - Dan Houston ($850-$950k)

• 34 - Jack Lukosius ($900-$1m)

• 26 - Rowan Marshall ($900-$1m)

• 14 - Tim English ($1m-$1.1m)

• 10 - Nick Daicos ($1m-$1.1m)

• 9 - Marcus Bontempelli ($1m-$1.1m)

• 8 - Brodie Grundy ($1m-$1.1m)

• 7 - Connor Rozee ($1.05m-$1.15m)

• 6 - Tim Kelly ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 5 - Shai Bolton ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 4 - Errol Gulden ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 3 - Christian Petracca ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 2 - Clayton Oliver ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 1 - Tom Lynch ($1.45m-$1.55m)

These are best guesses and don't account for front/back loading etc.

The only Geelong players are Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith but the others may be in the full list. The comment for him is: Bailey Smith's figure isn't as intoxicating as his football prowess, but sponsorship deals and outside commitments would likely see him dominate off and on the field. imv, that is a virtual admission Geelong is using off-the-books means to reward players to stay under the sal cap!!!

Lots of captains missing in the top 10!! eg Cripps ... maybe Carlton have uncovered more brown paper bags and their sponsors are being very friendly to players ala Geelong sponsors/3rd parties and actual $ payments are kept low.

It would not be unreasonable to think sal cap rorting is widespread.

We seem the outlier to have two players earning plenty of cash sitting 2 and 3; perhaps we don't have that type of sponsor 🙅🏻‍♀️

McKay at 800k.

Surely we had the cap space to accommodate him after Luke Jackson left in 2022.

So the money wasn't the reason we didn't get him. 😅

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

From the article below there is a list of 'notable' player salaries taken from the Herald Sun's Rich List which attempted to estimate/ compile a list of the highest-paid players in the competition for 2025.

https://www.zerohanger.com/revealed-the-100-highest-paid-players-in-the-afl-167756/

Those that can view the HS article might fill in some of the gaps especially related to Demon and other leading players.

The Notable Names

• 100 - Jason Horne-Francis ($650-$750k)

• 97 - Harrison Petty ($650-$750k)

• 96 - Tyson Stengle ($650-$750k)

• 94 - Riley Thilthorpe ($675-$775k)

• 85 - Liam Baker ($700-$800k)

• 79 - Griffin Logue ($700-$800k)

• 77 - Jesse Hogan ($725-$825k)

• 75 - Bailey Smith ($750-$850k)

• 72 - Daniel Rioli ($750-$850k)

• 63 - Harry McKay ($750-$850k)

• 58 - Darcy Fogarty ($800-$900k)

• 55 - Harry Perryman ($800-$900k)

• 52 - Jack Sinclair ($800-$900k)

• 44 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($800-$900k)

• 39 - Dan Houston ($850-$950k)

• 34 - Jack Lukosius ($900-$1m)

• 26 - Rowan Marshall ($900-$1m)

• 14 - Tim English ($1m-$1.1m)

• 10 - Nick Daicos ($1m-$1.1m)

• 9 - Marcus Bontempelli ($1m-$1.1m)

• 8 - Brodie Grundy ($1m-$1.1m)

• 7 - Connor Rozee ($1.05m-$1.15m)

• 6 - Tim Kelly ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 5 - Shai Bolton ($1.1m-$1.2m)

• 4 - Errol Gulden ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 3 - Christian Petracca ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 2 - Clayton Oliver ($1.2m-$1.3m)

• 1 - Tom Lynch ($1.45m-$1.55m)

These are best guesses and don't account for front/back loading etc.

The only Geelong players are Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith but the others may be in the full list. The comment for him is: Bailey Smith's figure isn't as intoxicating as his football prowess, but sponsorship deals and outside commitments would likely see him dominate off and on the field. imv, that is a virtual admission Geelong is using off-the-books means to reward players to stay under the sal cap!!!

Lots of captains missing in the top 10!! eg Cripps ... maybe Carlton have uncovered more brown paper bags and their sponsors are being very friendly to players ala Geelong sponsors/3rd parties and actual $ payments are kept low.

It would not be unreasonable to think sal cap rorting is widespread.

We seem the outlier to have two players earning plenty of cash sitting 2 and 3; perhaps we don't have that type of sponsor 🙅🏻‍♀️

Overpaid:

Uge-Hagan

Tom Lynch

Tim Kelly

Griffen Logue

33 minutes ago, poita said:

Given that both Petracca and Oliver screwed the club as much as they possibly could, it is not surprising that they remain towards the top of the list. Other star players have struck a better balance between taking a fair wage and allowing their clubs to add other quality players.

Cameron is #17 ($950K - $1.05M), Dangerfield is off his big contract and is not on the list.

It's pretty concerning that we felt we needed to pay extra to get guys to stay at the club where usually it's the other way around.

Geelong have rewritten the book on key incentives outside the salary cap. Strange that Freo and more particularly West Coast haven't followed on. There's a lot of new money in the West.

For all that the money paid to AFL "stars" is chicken feed compared to most sports

12 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Geelong have rewritten the book on key incentives outside the salary cap. Strange that Freo and more particularly West Coast haven't followed on. There's a lot of new money in the West.

For all that the money paid to AFL "stars" is chicken feed compared to most sports

That's the problem with niche sports. The money is there but very capped.

Although I did read somewhere that the AFL was inside the top 20 sports in terms of annual revenue globally.

The revenue was above 1 billion dollars, higher than some reputable soccer leagues (not including the big 5 from Europe).

30 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

It's pretty concerning that we felt we needed to pay extra to get guys to stay at the club where usually it's the other way around.

Could it be the club felt both of them deserved it and wanted to ensure the core of the playing list would be here for long?

Let's not forget that at the end of season 2021 we had two Brownlow worthy players, one with AFLCA accolades and the other with a Norm Smith medal.

8 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

That's the problem with niche sports. The money is there but very capped.

Although I did read somewhere that the AFL was inside the top 20 sports in terms of annual revenue globally.

The revenue was above 1 billion dollars, higher than some reputable soccer leagues (not including the big 5 from Europe).

which is why there is an expectation, particularly with saudi pif-backed, russki-controlled daz n now owning foxtel / kayo, that the rivers of broadcast rights gold that have flowed to the afl and nrl are about to seriously dry up

without murdoch wanting the domestic sports for the 'halo' effect for his media empire, the rights value for the afl and nrl may be severely impacted

Just now, ElDiablo14 said:

Could it be the club felt both of them deserved it and wanted to ensure the core of the playing list would be here for long?

Let's not forget that at the end of season 2021 we had two Brownlow worthy players, one with AFLCA accolades and the other with a Norm Smith medal.

to put it into perspective, think of their then position - premiership players, aflca accolades, runner-up in the brownlow, massively sucessful on field, growing brand off-field for one of em - vs what the aints paid wanganeen-milera to stay for two seasons, or what meth coke are paying harley reid to stay for two seasons, or what the pear are offering butters to stay for the rest of his career...

6 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

Could it be the club felt both of them deserved it and wanted to ensure the core of the playing list would be here for long?

Let's not forget that at the end of season 2021 we had two Brownlow worthy players, one with AFLCA accolades and the other with a Norm Smith medal.

No, it couldn't be that.

Trac and Clarry are just bastards who screwed the club.

How silly of you to even suggest they were top 5 players in the league when those contracts were signed and, at least for Trac, no one could have foreseen the freak injury which led to his major deterioration in form.

/sarcasm

Why are these based on estimations? Or rather, shouldn’t all clubs that are dependant on members paying money to survive, show where their money is going?

I’m genuinely asking, are there any downsides to clubs showing exactly what their coaches/players are being paid?

Are there any downsides to being completely transparent in terms of player salaries?

39 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Geelong have rewritten the book on key incentives outside the salary cap. Strange that Freo and more particularly West Coast haven't followed on. There's a lot of new money in the West.

For all that the money paid to AFL "stars" is chicken feed compared to most sports

Now do it with the administrators.

Andrew Dillon $1.8mln + (reportedly)

Tell me the players are overpaid again?

Edited September 4Sep 4 by Jjrogan

3 minutes ago, BoBo said:

Why are these based on estimations? Or rather, shouldn’t all clubs that are dependant on members paying money to survive, show where their money is going?

I’m genuinely asking, are there any downsides to clubs showing exactly what their coaches/players are being paid?

Are there any downsides to being completely transparent in terms of player salaries?

Yes, it's strange.

In the US everyone knows how mucha any given player makes.

I could understand if it was for safety/privacy issues but I don't feel Australia is a dangerous place for people with money (unlike a lot of the developing countries).