AFL: Which young players are looking to get the biggest paydays in 2021?
Harry McKay is set to cash in on his potential this season as the big Blue heads into a contract year. But will it be Carlton that pays him? Here’s our top 10 out of contract players.
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Clubs are facing a nightmare year trying to balance the books and back-end contracts to meet the requirements of a reduced AFL salary cap.
While some players are going to have to take cuts, there are also some breakout stars who are certain to get a big payday this season.
And the talks have already begun.
Who is looking at a nice pay rise in 2021? Jay Clark names the top 10 for players out of contract this year.
1. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Age: 22 -- Games: 82
If you could take your pick of any young midfielder in the competition, McCluggage is in the mix as the one you would want.
The jet midfielder is already an elite wingman entering his fifth season and is certain to play a huge role in trying to take the Lions deep into September.
He has a big tank, uses the ball beautifully and can rack it up sitting shotgun alongside Lachie Neale.
Lions fans can be supremely confident he’s going nowhere and a new deal isn’t far away, but there will be a big jump on his pay packet towards the $650,000 – $700,000 a year mark and he’s worth every cent.
2. Harry McKay (Carlton)
Age: 23 -- Games: 48
The hulking spearhead faces an important year.
With Charlie Curnow on the sidelines, it is time for the 204cm McKay to stamp himself on the competition after hauls of 21, 26 and 21 goals over the past three seasons.
At times, he looks like he could tear games apart with his marking power, speed and size, and become a genuine elite key forward. But does he get enough of it to command the big bucks?
McKay averaged seven possessions a game last year but he has worked hard on his speed over summer and should capitalise on his contract in a big way if he can have the breakout year many believe is coming.
There are good judges who think he can be anything and the hype will definitely build if he can snag a couple of bags early in the season. Think a young Tom Lynch.
Would another club like Essendon dangle a big carrot again?
3. Noah Balta (Richmond)
Age: 21 -- Games: 30
Gone from being a ‘minimum chips’ project player to premiership linchpin in the back half.
The 194cm athletic key defender has several weapons. He can shut down a man, be part of the springboard attack and also chop out in the ruck.
That versatility makes him even more valuable, and when the pressure came in the finals last year, the 30-gamer conceded only two goals in total to Daniel McStay, Charlie Dixon and Tom Hawkins in the Grand Final win over Geelong.
Balta has been on modest money but is a huge part of the future in the Richmond back line at only 21 years old. Especially as Dylan Grimes and David Astbury (both 29) approach their thirties.
What a prospect to have on your list.
4. Shai Bolton (Richmond)
Age: 22 -- Games: 47
What an extraordinary rise for the former livewire forward who was catapulted into the midfield with great effect last year.
Bolton was a fringe player in 2018, but has since become an electrifying cog in the Richmond midfield machine.
It means the ballwinner, who has loads of x-factor and linebreaking speed, is certain to get a big bump on his next deal if he can maintain the rage in the early part of the season.
That could see his wage climb from about $350,000 a year to $600,000 a year next season, if rivals come hard.
Had a season-high 29 disposals and 12 contested possessions against Essendon in Round 13 and finished fourth in the club’s best and fairest in a premiership season last year.
5. Adam Cerra (Fremantle)
Age: 21 -- Games: 58
There is every chance Victorian clubs fight over the silky midfielder’s signature, driving his price right up.
He has long been linked to a return home but as for now the Dockers are optimistic about locking him in for the long haul.
Cerra’s midfield mate Andrew Brayshaw last year signed a four-year deal and the Dockers would ideally love a long-term commitment from Cerra as well after a breakout year finishing third in the best and fairest.
He has special skills, a nice turn and has built his engine.
There are some fantastic signs Justin Longmuir’s Dockers are on the right track and Hayden Young’s emergence this year will only boost their cause. Just need to develop some more offensive gears.
6. Hunter Clark (St Kilda)
Age: 21 -- Games: 47
There are some at St Kilda who believe Clark could become the club’s best player.
The No.7 draft pick has hardness, poise and class and could become a bona fide midfield star in coming years after starting out on the half back flank.
But the Saints have a bit of a salary cap squeeze on their hands after bringing in plenty of talent over the past two years, and it will be interesting to see how much coin they have left over for Clark, Nick Coffield and in what is a huge signature for the club, Max King next year.
Clearly, Clark can’t be overlooked on his next contract. Rated highly internally. Ready for a big breakout season.
7. Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
Age: 26 -- Games: 161
Been an excellent player for Richmond throughout its golden premiership run but hasn’t got the big dollars that some of his superstar teammates have earned.
This year, it should be Vlastuin’s turn to cash in with a long-term contract that will ensure he plays out his prime in yellow and black.
Played a huge role in Alex Rance’s absence along with Dylan Grimes. And Rance’s early retirement certainly helps clear up some cash for others.
Doubt he would even consider going anywhere else but the reliable backman deserves his reward.
8. Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
Age: 21 -- Games: 30
He might have had a slow start to his career because of the groin injury, but Davies-Uniacke has certainly turned heads on the training track over summer.
He has Chris Judd-like moves, and he clearly developed confidence exploding out of packs and breaking through lines in the back half of last season.
That speed and breakaway power is what makes Uniacke-Davies a special talent and a future marquee man at North.
There is zero chance the Roos won’t pay him accordingly and leave anything to chance on the contract front with the pick four.
9. Luke McDonald (North Melbourne)
Age: 25 -- Games: 126
Could be North Melbourne’s next captain after taking a huge step forward in 2020 winning a best and fairest.
If he can replicate that enormous feat this year he will deserve a considerable step up in pay and become one of North Melbourne’s highest-paid players.
At a club which doesn’t have a lot of mature-age star power, McDonald’s timing as a free agent could be spot on for a decent whack.
Don’t underestimate his hardness and commitment to the North Melbourne cause and a second-straight big year will underline his contract value.
10. Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants)
Age: 23 -- Games: 84
You feel a bit for the Giants, because every club in Victoria has Hopper and Tim Taranto and Lachie Ash’s names circled in their list management diaries.
The offers are certain to come, and GWS will get to work early this year on an extension for the hard nut onballer to lock him away.
Even with the reduced salary cap, Hopper is on the up even though he may not have set the world on fire last year.
How the Giants balance their books will continue to be a challenge given some of the beefy long-term contracts they’re carrying but Hopper is not one the Giants will want to lose even with young Tom Green coming along beautifully.
THE SUPERSTAR FREE AGENTS
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Age: 25 -- Games: 142
Carlton and Collingwood are both sniffing around the silky midfielder who is still earning about $700,000 at Essendon, but would get closer to $850,000 a year to make a move to a big cross-town rival.
Expect Merrett to take his time making a decision on the Bombers’ direction, and if he wants out Essendon could be rewarded with a top-five compensation draft pick depending on their ladder position.
If he joined Carlton, Merrett would be the yin to Patrick Cripps’ yang. But it won’t be money which drives his decision, it will be the Bombers’ environment and development which will help determine his next move.
Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Age: 25 -- Games: 118
Let’s be honest, Cripps could write his own cheque at Carlton.
As much as we say no single person is bigger than the club, Cripps is close. He has put in the hard yards over seven years to help put Carlton in a position to play finals this year after regaining some of the muscle bulk he deliberately shed last year.
But the question for Cripps and the Blues is how much is too much? He is easily worth Dustin Martin or Nat Fyfe money and $1.2 million a year but if he takes that much, does it compromise the chances of team success in a reduced salary cap?
Either way, he is a seven-figure man and he will stay at Carlton beyond this year. But has he seen enough growth and surety yet to commit to the long-term?
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Age: 25 -- Games: 145
Could be a little top-up on his annual salary rather than a mega boost but it is the length of contract that could be the big story on Bontempelli’s contract. Clearly, there is scope to lock away the skipper for at least five or six years as the bedrock and most important player at the kennel.
It’s unlikely he’s signing another two-year deal, and not a single Dogs’ fan would be unhappy to see the brilliant midfielder signed up for life in red, white and blue.
But the Dogs do face a juggling act managing the salaries amid its stacked midfield, including Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith and new recruit Adam Treloar, even though the Pies will pay up to $300,000 a year of his contract.
But there is no doubt who is the main man here and that is Bontempelli, even if he does spend more time forward given his natural goal kicking abilities. Just needs to clean up the set shot accuracy.
Originally published as AFL: Which young players are looking to get the biggest paydays in 2021?
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