How AFL draftees can boost their paychecks in first three years in the system

Under a new pay deal, 1-3 year players are eligible for a series of performance incentives that could see draftees earn close to $300k in their first season. See the full breakdown here.

MELBOURNE. 13/05/2023. AFL. Australian under 18s vs Carlton VFL at Marvel Stadium. Harley Reid in action for the Australian under 18 side today . Pic: Michael Klein

Harley Reid could earn nearly $300,000 in his debut season if he takes the competition by storm.

Under the new rules set out as part of new mandatory three-year deals, Reid or any player drafted in the top 10 would be handed a $130,000 base salary and could earn $92,000 if they played all 23 home-and-away games at $4000 per game.

First to third year players would also be eligible for a series of performance incentives — $50,000 for the Brownlow Medal, $40,000 for the club best-and-fairest ($30,000 for a top-three placing) and $30,000 for the All Australian team (or $20,000 for the All Australian squad).

So if Reid, expected to be the No.1 overall draft pick, was All Australian and won his club best-and-fairest he could make an extra $70,000 in incentives which would push his wage to $292,000.

A standout debut season offers a possible bounty in a player’s second season.

Playing over 18 senior matches next year would see $60,000 added to their second-year base payment for 2025.

Harley Reid could earn close to 300,000 if he has a successful debut season. Picture: Getty Images

A players base wage for 2025 would increase by $50,000 for a 2024 Brownlow Medal win, by $40,000 for a club best-and-fairest and $30,000 for the All Australian team.

Theoretically if a first-year player won the Brownlow Medal, Rising Star, club best-and-fairest as an All Australian playing 18 plus games in their first year they would increase their base salary for 2025 by $180,000 to $310,000.

The new scheme means star players who hit the ground running are able to quickly earn massive wages but even top-10 picks have to earn that money in the first three seasons.

Under the deal all top-20 draft picks are locked into mandatory three year contracts and cannot negotiate their second deal until round 6 of their debut season.

All drafted players previously signed mandatory two-year deals but were free to sign early extensions that handed them guaranteed wages of up to $500,000 in their third and fourth seasons.

Now players like Reid will have to earn that cash under a complicated system of bonuses.

While the league’s riches will still be shared between its stars, a rookie wage is $90,000 in 2024, $100,000 in 2025 and $105,000 in 2026 and 2027, with $4000 match payments per senior game.

Mid-season draftees are paid only $50,000 (plus $4000 per match) next year, rising to $58,000 by 2027.

As part of the new deal the AFL will provide $15 million a season to the AFLPA retirement fund.

The league also hands the AFLPA 1000 Grand Final tickets - purchased at “face value”- which the AFLPA can distribute as it sees fit to players and AFLPA stakeholders including past players, AFLPA board members and staff.

Will there be another player to take the league by storm like Nick Daicos and significantly boost their salary as a 1-3 year player? Picture: Michael Klein