AFL 2022 player wages, highest paid revealed: Dustin Martin, Lance Franklin, AFL executives
As the AFL continues to rebound from two Covid-stricken seasons, the executive branch of the competition is reaping the rewards as profits rise.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Player earnings have surged to record highs in the AFL with twelve players pocketing more than $1 million last year.
As reported in the Herald Sun’s 2022 Rich List, Richmond’s Dustin Martin, Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern, Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin and new Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy are among footy’s top earners.
Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch, who had a heavily back-ended deal, Geelong premiership goal kicker Jeremy Cameron and Western Bulldogs’ skipper Marcus Bontempelli were also in the top bracket.
Melbourne pair Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca also take a huge slice of the Demons’ salary cap, while West Coast’s Tim Kelly is also on a bumper deal after crossing from Geelong.
It represents a major rise for the superstar money men as only five players topped the $1 million mark in 2021.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A FULL BREAK DOWN OF 2022 PLAYER WAGES
Three players earned more than $1.2 million in 2022 and 27 earned more than $900,000 for the year. There were 51 players with salaries worthy more than $800,000.
Carlton’s Tom De Koning, who is out of contract and among the most sought-after players in the game, is set for the next massive pay rise, while teammates Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and Patrick Cripps are also on big paypackets.
It means the next big salary cap squeeze will take place at Carlton this year where club chiefs could be forced to make hard calls on the futures of Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams and Jack Martin to help create some more salary cap room.
Salaries to AFL executives equated to $11.8 million, compared to $10.4 million in 2019 pre-Covid. It is an average $1.3 million per executive in 2022.
Last season was the first time the average salary for the league’s players (excluding rookies) rose above $400,000 to $406,000.
It was $372,224 in 2021 and $259,651 during the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season.
The player pay rise was part of a 10 per cent increase in the salary cap from $233.9 million to a record $257.6 million in 2022. At the other end of the pay scale, 11 players earned less than $100,000 including the mid-season draft pickups.
Separately, the AFL reported an operating profit of $20.7 million in 2022, a whopping $66.8 million increase on its $46.1 million loss in 2021.
It shows the game is in great financial shape on the back of the pandemic which forced clubs to lose staff from its football department to help save money.
The financial result will likely add to calls from clubs to increase the football department soft cap to reward coaches and staff for their efforts in recent years living in hubs and provide more resources for players.
The league has already increased the cap for the 2023 season including providing more scope for player welfare.
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder said the $20.7 million profit was a strong result for the game.
“At the start of 2022 our agenda was to champion the community’s bounce back from the Covid19 pandemic and catapult football, at all levels, back to pre-covid levels,” Goyder said.
“It wasn’t without its challenges, however a collective effort from our football community, from our players, coaches and officials, our committed broadcast and corporate partners and especially our football fans, delivered one of our biggest football calendar years on record.”
Outgoing chief executive Gillon McLachlan clinched a new broadcast deal last year worth $4.5 billion to help secure the game’s future.
AFL club memberships also rose to an all-time record of 1,190,671 members in 2022, surpassing the record of 1,113,441 that was set in 2021 – a jump of 6.9 per cent growth on last year.
One in every 22 Australians is currently a member of an AFL club.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL 2022 player wages, highest paid revealed: Dustin Martin, Lance Franklin, AFL executives
Bombers list boss remains coy on Stringer deal as deadline looms
Jake Stringer is keen on a move to GWS, but Essendon are making no guarantees that will eventuate. Plus an update on Dylan Shiel as we count down to the end of the trade period.
Port blinked on Houston – but they can still emerge winners
Port Adelaide wanted more for Dan Houston - they didn’t get it. But as MATT TURNER writes, the Power can still come out on top in their three-way trade with the Pies and Suns.