AFL Rich 100: The best and worst contracts across the competition

It’s all about finding value where you can, and while some clubs are doing that well, others are struggling, paying high-price for little reward. Check out the AFL’s biggest boom and bust deals.

Finding value bring success, wasting it breeds failure.

The annual AFL Rich 100 is here, bringing to light the players who are proving to be bargains, and some aren’t giving the effort expected of them based on their big deals.

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JACK DARLING (WEST COAST, $700,000-800,000)

The West Coast forward was coming off a premiership season when he locked into a five-year deal on big money. He’s been a very good player, having played almost 300 games and kicking 532 goals, second on the Eagles’ most majors list. But it has been a challenging past few seasons. Has one more year to run on his deal.

DYLAN SHIEL (ESSENDON, $750,000-$850,000)

The Bombers won the battle to secure the former Giant at the end of 2018, beating Carlton to win his services. But the overall return so far hasn’t matched the price tag, largely because of the injuries Shiel has suffered in that time. He almost ended up at St Kilda last trade period. He has one more year to run on his deal, and his back-end of the season form was solid. But would a fresh start at a third AFL club benefit him?

Dylan Shiel hasn’t rewarded the Bombers’ investment. Picture: Mark Stewart

PETER WRIGHT (ESSENDON, $600,000-$700,000)

‘Two-metre Peter’ was at the peak of his bargaining powers when he signed his current deal, coming off a best and fairest win. But it hasn’t panned out well since and he has found himself on the outer for various reasons. After kicking 53 goals in 2022, he has managed only 19 in each of the past two seasons and has spent time playing in the VFL.

Griffin Logue returned late in the 2024 season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GRIFFIN LOGUE (NORTH MELBOURNE, $700,000-$800,000)

You can’t blame the Kangaroos for paying overs for some players when it was hard to attract the best of the best to Arden Street. The former Freo defender might yet prove an important plank of the club’s future, given he has three more years to run. But a knee reconstruction last year hindered his first season at the club. He came back late this year for two AFL games and three VFL matches. Let’s hope he gets a clear run at it in 2025.

CALEB DANIEL (WESTERN BULLDOGS, $650,000-$750,000)

There was no problem with this deal when it was signed in mid 2022 as Daniel was one of the Bulldogs’ key players back then. He fell out of favour at times this season, playing 16 matches with a number of them as the starting sub. Is it best for both parties for him to find a new club next season, one that will value his strong ball use in the back half.

JACK MACRAE (WESTERN BULLDOGS, $650,000-$750,000)

Will Jack be back at the Whitten Oval next season? He has three more seasons on a deal with the Bulldogs on good money, but is no certainty to see that contract out. He was in and out of the team this year and while he loves the place, he might need a fresh start in 2025.

JOSH DUNKLEY (BRISBANE LIONS, $600,000-$700,000)

He’s selfless in the Lions’ midfield, and he’s selfless in terms of his deal. Many midfielders with lesser credentials are earning a lot more. Could be commanding a lot more given his impact but he is extraordinary value for money.

LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (NORTH MELBOURNE, $600,000-$700,000)

North Melbourne is working overtime in trying to lock their midfield dynamo into a new deal long before he comes out of contract at the end of next season. He could almost double his 2024 figure if the offers keep rolling in. Has said he wants to stay with the Kangaroos, but rival clubs are watching his situation closely. He’s a million-dollar-plus player in 2025.

TOM GREEN (GWS GIANTS, $650,000-$750,000)

Signed a bumper new deal last year that will make him a very wealthy player into the future, but he’s still great value right now. Serious player who still has so much ahead of him.

TOM DE KONING (CARLTON, $650,000-$750,000)

He was offered a King’s ransom to leave the Blues last year by a host of suitors, but loyalty won out. He’s a million-dollar player when he signs his next contract. Carlton needs to get the deal done before the start of next season.

TOM PAPLEY (SYDNEY, $600,000-$700,000)

Sydney’s energiser bunny is cheap as chips given his output and his importance to the Swans’ premiership hopes.

ZAK BUTTERS (PORT ADELAIDE, $700,000-$800,000)

Superstar midfielder who has two more years to run on his current deal, but the next signature will surely reap him $1m or more. One of the best players in the game.

Originally published as AFL Rich 100: The best and worst contracts across the competition