Essendon recruit’s staggering new salary makes him AFL’s highest paid player

After changing clubs in the off-season, a recruit is set to be the AFL’s highest paid player after his staggering salary for 2024 was revealed.

New Essendon recruit Ben McKay will reportedly earn up to $1.5 million season, making him the AFL’s highest paid player.

McKay moved from North Melbourne to Essendon during the recent Trade Period, joining the Bombers on a six-year deal worth around $850,000 per season.

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Essendon were active at the trade table, luring Jade Gresham from St Kilda, Xavier Duursma from Port Adelaide and veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein from North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos received pick three as trade compensation for 25-year-old McKay.

But Essendon still have a massive war chest they will be looking to use in the coming years to attract a big-bodied midfielder or a key forward.

AFL teams need to use at least 95 per cent of the salary cap and as a result, McKay will be paid a staggering seven-figure wage in his first year at Essendon.

McKay’s front-ended deal will allow the Bombers to be active in the free agency market going forward.

Ben McKay will earn a massive salary at Essendon next year. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

According to afl.com.au, the key defender will earn between $1.4 and $1.5 million in 2024.

No offence intended to Ben McKay, but sheesh.

Imagine when one of the best 50 key position players in the comp become free agents next… https://t.co/77Z8eBykH1

— Nic Negrepontis (@NicNegrepontis) October 26, 2023

Long odds Ben McKay and Nick Haynes would be the two highest paid players in the AFL for 2024 but here we are. Dusty also right up there. https://t.co/7dDTlHdSkG

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) October 26, 2023

So far in his career, McKay has played 71 games across six seasons that have been riddled by injury.

Lance Franklin was paid around $1.5 million in the eighth year of his monster contract with the Sydney Swans, while 12 players were paid a salary of $1 million or more in 2022.

Sydney’s Lance Franklin, Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and Melbourne pair Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca were in that range as well, along with GWS trio Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly.

McKay’s six-year deal runs through to the end of 2029, with a trigger for a seventh season.