AFL Rich 100: Reviewing the best bargains and most regrettable contracts in the AFL

Whether fending off raids from heartland clubs or trying to entice form players to switch teams, clubs will often offer hefty contracts in the hope those players live up to the hype.

A whiff of desperation and expansion outfits trying valiantly to fend off the raids of heartland clubs.

Those two separate themes are both writ large across the list of the most challenging contracts across the AFL Rich 100 list.

If the toughest jobs in football are the match review boss and those who govern the league’s rules, being in charge of an expansion list might be on the podium.

It is why Gold Coast’s Craig Cameron and GWS football boss Jason McCartney, at times, have to make impossible decisions on overpaying to keep players and bring in others on significant wages.

It is why Jack Lukosius is on over $600,000 in 2022 — because from the day he was drafted, Adelaide clubs attempted to prise him out of the Gold Coast.

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GWS was in a tough position with its Stephen Coniglio negotiations. Picture: Getty Images

At GWS, the Giants could match a Carlton bid on Stephen Coniglio at nearly $1 million a year or lose a man they believed to be their future captain and a critical part of selling their message in western Sydney.

While down the Princes Highway at Geelong, the Cats culture of success and perfect work-life balance mean they can secure star players for around $600,000 a season.

Consider the output of Blicavs and Lukosius despite their similar salaries and it will tell you everything about the two-speed economy of the AFL.

As for that whiff of desperation?

Clubs will always believe they can turn a player into something they have not been, or even ignore their worst tendencies when they become available.

North Melbourne believed Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec could be a more robust and hardworking player when they signed him up, using a draft pick that would have been swallowed up if they hadn’t used it before matching a bid for NGA talent Tarryn Thomas (pick 8).

After a strong first season (509 possessions, 16 goals), then 13 games in 2020, he has played only seven games in the two seasons since given form and injury issues.

Carlton has had similar issues with Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams.

They were so thrilled McGovern was prepared to consider them, the Blues signed him on a five-year deal that expires next year, in the nick of time for them to use that cap space on Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow’s free agency deals.

Former GWS defender Williams had been capable of stints in the midfield, including a brilliant finals series in 2019, but his durability issues have meant he is what the Giants believed he was.

A very capable, but injury-prone half back flanker.

This time, the Giants made the right call in deciding against matching a bid for Williams, but the Blues still hope he can be part of their premiership window if his body issues can be sorted out.

Mitch McGovern signed at the Blues on a long-term deal. Picture: Michael Klein

REGRETTABLE CONTRACTS

JARED POLEC (PORT ADELAIDE)

It is not Polec’s fault that the Roos signed him up on a five-year deal worth around $3.5 million, with the left-footer still contracted until the end of 2023 despite being demoted to the rookie list. The Roos believed he was the icing on the cake, but quickly dropped from finals contention, with their game plan not suiting his run-and-gun style of game.

RORY LOBB (FREMANTLE)

Lobb has always been exceptionally well paid after GWS was seduced by one exceptional year and then Fremantle handing him a king’s ransom to head back to Perth.

The 2022 season has been the best of his AFL career but he is due $750,000 this year and next, with a long-term deal at the Dogs likely to balance out the $750,000 he is owed in 2023.

BRADLEY HILL (ST KILDA)

The Saints believed Hill would be the king of the Marvel Stadium wing, capping off a list close to premiership contention. He has had a solid season - above average disposals, elite pressure - but his price tag is the kind that requires match-changing performances.

ZAC WILLIAMS (CARLTON)

Williams’ free agency status meant clubs including the Roos were desperate for his services and if he had been able to sustain his rampaging form off half back he might have been worth the price of nearly $800,000. Still, he has four more years to prove himself and as he deals with another injury could even make a finals impact this year.

Zac Williams has been injury prone throughout his career. Picture: Phil Hillyard

RORY ATKINS (GOLD COAST)

The Suns were desperate for some experience and classy ball-use, so they signed Adelaide utility Atkins on a four-year deal of around $400,000. It’s not huge money, but he has failed to inspire so far, this year ranking poor for disposals, contested possessions, kicking efficiency, scoreboard impact and pressure.

MITCH MCGOVERN (CARLTON)

McGovern’s first three years at Carlton on a deal of nearly $800,000 a season were disappointing as he battled for impact and wasn’t always in elite shape. This year, hamstring issues have curtailed his impact but he has shown huge potential thrown into the intercepting role his brother Jeremy has mastered at West Coast. The contract has been overpriced but he could still feature in a deep finals run in coming seasons.

BARGAIN CONTRACTS

TOM STEWART (GEELONG)

The star Cat is the best backman in the league and, yet, like so many other Geelong players he takes less to keep the list together and live a relatively carefree lifestyle down the Princes Highway. When you consider Jeremy McGovern has been on a long-term deal of $1.2 million dollars and Stewart plays for between $600,000-$700,000, you realise the Cats have got something special going on.

TOM HAWKINS (GEELONG)

Tom Hawkins is 34 years of age, but still could be taking part in the kind of drawn-out contract negotiations to maximise his worth that Taylor Walker and Lance Franklin have found themselves part of this year. Instead, the no-fuss forward, who has been All Australian in the past three years, accepts unders for the same reason as Stewart.

NICK VLASTUIN (RICHMOND)

When the Tigers handed Vlastuin a fresh five-year deal in 2021, they knew he wasn’t going anywhere and so did he. He accepted the long-term deal for security and is still well-paid but when you consider the deal of Zac Williams it shows you what a superb character Vlastuin is to accept much less - between $600,000-$700,000.

Scott Pendlebury is underpaid on his current deal. Picture: Getty Images

SCOTT PENDLEBURY (COLLINGWOOD)

There is no doubt the Pies captain has been extremely well paid in his career, but his current deal emphasises tenure - two seasons - over cash. Pendlebury is in the $500,000-$600,000 range when his output is still of the highest order, allowing the Pies the cap space to chase free agents like Dan McStay.

SHAI BOLTON (RICHMOND)

Bolton is paid just over $600,000, still extremely good money, but he is putting in a million-dollar type season. His next contract past 2023 will likely reflect that output, but, while Dustin Martin is sidelined, the brilliant Bolton is picking up the slack.

TRAVIS BOAK (PORT ADELAIDE)

Boak has shown extreme loyalty throughout his career and at 34 years of age he’s still doing it, on a contract that is closer to $500,000 than $600,000. He will end his career as a beloved Power champion even when he could be asking for more as a midfielder pumping out 27 possessions a game and averaging 107 ranking points.

Originally published as AFL Rich 100: Reviewing the best bargains and most regrettable contracts in the AFL