By Marc McGowan and Jon Pierik
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news
- A record 19 AFL players earned more than $1 million last year thanks to the league’s titanic new pay deal – up from 12 footballers a season earlier and including eight who made $1.2 million-plus.
- The methodical rebuild of Melbourne star Clayton Oliver has continued, with the prolific midfielder joining in match simulation on Monday.
Million-dollar men: AFL’s rich list reaches record number
Marc McGowan
A record 19 AFL players earned more than $1 million last year thanks to the league’s titanic new pay deal – up from 12 footballers a season earlier and including eight who made $1.2 million-plus.
Dustin Martin is widely regarded as one of the AFL’s million-dollar men.Credit: Getty Images
Richmond’s triple-Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, the Dockers’ dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe and West Coast’s four-time All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern are widely regarded as last year’s top earners.
The league and AFL Players Association signed off on a five-year, $2.2 billion collective bargaining agreement in September, delivering among other benefits an instant 10 per cent pay boost for men’s players and 29 per cent for women.
Sixty-three AFL footballers raked in at least $800,000 in 2023, according to the AFL’s total player payment figures, with a 37 per cent increase across the life of this CBA, so the millionaire ranks could spike well beyond 50.
The AFLPA is strongly against making players’ wages public, unlike many sports leagues overseas, but this masthead compiled a group of potential millionaires from conversations with football sources familiar with player contracts but not authorised to speak publicly because of confidentiality.
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, Demons Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron, Richmond powerhouse Tom Lynch, Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps, Collingwood counterpart Darcy Moore and new Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy were among the names.
The Giants have five contenders to feature in this tier, although it is highly unlikely they all received that much last season. Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield are the possibles.
West Coast’s reigning club champion Tim Kelly is also on the list due to the structuring of his contract, even though those sources say he will make less than $1 million per season across his six-year deal, along with teammate Andrew Gaff.
Hawthorn captain James Sicily is another potential millionaire from last year, as is Sydney Swans forward Isaac Heeney.
McGovern and Fyfe inked fresh two-year deals last season that are unlikely to keep them in this company, while Martin is out of contract at the end of this year, but his management are already in discussions with the Tigers.
Every primary-listed player earned more than $100,000 in 2023, while one player who earned between $800,000 and $900,000 did not make a senior appearance last year.
The average AFL player salary will surge from $387,000 in 2022 and $441,464 last year to a heady $519,000 by 2027.
AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh described the new CBA as “transformative and historic” after the deal was done.
“This CBA presented an opportunity to bring AFL and AFLW players into one joint agreement, and we are thrilled to have reached an outcome that enshrines all players as true partners in the game,” Marsh said.
“The players have overwhelmingly voted in support of this CBA, and we believe this is a deal that speaks strongly to how highly the industry values their contribution.”
Meanwhile, the AFL also released its financial result for last year, reporting an underlying operating surplus of $27.7 million, a $7 million increase from 2022.
The league’s executives scored $13.6 million collectively, compared to $11.8 million a year earlier, with the AFL attributing that to structural changes and “transition costs” associated with former CEO Gillon McLachlan’s resignation, and the appointment of his replacement, Andrew Dillon.
Something else of note was league distributions to clubs, which increased by $56.3 million to $393.8 million.
The AFL’s operating revenue increased by $104.5 million, which beyond club distributions was used on game development ($89.7 million), AFLW running costs ($57.2 million), AFLPA allocation ($41.5 million), elite and community infrastructure ($14.4 million) and corporate and social responsibility initiatives ($0.9 million).
Oliver joins in match simulation
Jon Pierik
The methodical rebuild of Melbourne star Clayton Oliver has continued, with the prolific midfielder joining in match simulation on Monday.
In searing heat at Gosch’s Paddock, Oliver joined in the second half of the session, working his way into form through the midfield.
Building up: Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver joined match simulation on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
This was the first time Oliver had completed a key part of the program with his teammates since rejoining the squad on February 1 after taking personal leave and training by himself. He had spent most of his time in the rehabilitation group.
The Demons have seven periods of match simulation against Richmond at Casey Fields on Sunday, potentially allowing Oliver more time to work his way to full game fitness.
There are no concerns about the skill and class of the four-time best and fairest, but the Demons will need to ensure his body is fully ready for the rigours of the season ahead, as well as having a full understanding of any major changes to their game plan.
Fellow star Christian Petracca has said the Demons have rallied around Oliver since his return.
“I feel like the club has done a really good job over the last few months at managing everything. When he comes into the team, he is one of us, and we treat him like one of us,” Petracca said.
Dashing half-back Christian Salem impressed in match simulation, showing no signs of a hamstring issue that had impacted his pre-season, but forward Harrison Petty did not play. He is still on light duties, as the Demons manage what was a serious foot injury. Former Crow Shane McAdam has also been nursed through the summer.
Angus Brayshaw has impressed through the off-season, the Demons taking a cautious approach with the midfielder after he was concussed in a nasty collision with Brayden Maynard in the finals.
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