The AFL’s millionaire club is booming, and it’s sparking a debate that’s dividing fans: Are players earning too much, or is this the new normal for Australia’s premier sport? With a record-breaking number of players crossing the $1 million mark last year, the league’s collective bargaining agreement has undeniably reshaped the financial landscape of AFL. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this surge in wages a fair reflection of the sport’s growth, or is it a sign of escalating inequality within the league?
According to a recent report by the Herald Sun, 58 players pocketed over $1 million last season—more than double the 25 players who achieved this feat in 2024. Leading the pack were Richmond’s Tom Lynch and GWS’s Josh Kelly, both commanding salaries exceeding $1.6 million. And this is the part most people miss: The average AFL player’s wage has now surpassed the half-a-million-dollar mark for the first time, jumping from $459,173 to $505,691 in just one year. To put that in perspective, in 2021, the average wage was $372,224, and back in 2010, it was a modest $226,165. This rapid growth is fueled by the 2023 CBA, which allows players to claim 31.7% of the AFL’s revenue—a deal that’s clearly paying dividends for the league’s top talent.
Among the big earners are Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, and St Kilda’s Max King, who earned over $1.4 million despite missing the entire 2025 season due to injury. Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, and captains like Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson and Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee also joined the seven-figure club. Even goalkickers like Jeremy Cameron and Aaron Naughton are reaping the rewards, alongside rising stars like Ben King.
But the spending doesn’t stop there. St Kilda is set to break the bank with deals like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s two-year, $4 million contract—making him the league’s first $2 million man—and Tom De Koning’s eight-year, $1.7 million-per-year deal. Looking ahead to 2026, Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and Brisbane’s Zac Bailey are expected to command similarly eye-watering offers as they explore free agency. Essendon is reportedly preparing a $1.3 million-per-year contract for Bailey, though that number could climb even higher by October.
Here’s the burning question: Is this financial explosion sustainable, or are we witnessing a bubble that could burst? While players argue they’re simply capitalizing on the sport’s success, critics worry about the long-term implications for smaller clubs and the league’s financial health. What do you think? Are these wages justified, or has the AFL gone too far? Let’s debate it in the comments—because one thing’s for sure, this conversation is far from over.
