The list of the 100 highest-paid AFL players has been revealed, organised into estimated $100,000 ranges.
As players' salaries are not publicly disclosed, fans and analysts rely on insider information to gain an understanding of club finances. Exact figures remain unclear due to multi-season contracts and various incentives that complicate each signing.
The AFL uncovered earlier in the year that 25 players were earning at least $1 million per season, surpassing the previous year's record of 19.
However, the Herald Sun's Rich List has attempted to compile a list of the highest-paid players in the competition for 2025.
And some may surprise you...
Notable names (100-51)
100 - Jason Horne-Francis ($650-$750k)
97 - Harrison Petty ($650-$750k)
96 - Tyson Stengle ($650-$750k)
94 - Riley Thilthorpe ($675-$775k)
85 - Liam Baker ($700-$800k)
79 - Griffin Logue ($700-$800k)
77 - Jesse Hogan ($725-$825k)
75 - Bailey Smith ($750-$850k)
72 - Daniel Rioli ($750-$850k)
63 - Harry McKay ($750-$850k)
58 - Darcy Fogarty ($800-$900k)
55 - Harry Perryman ($800-$900k)
52 - Jack Sinclair ($800-$900k)
A host of names between 51 and 100 are proving to be bargain buys and could expect a decent uptick on their contracts, while some are yet to reach their potential.
Jason Horne-Francis scraped into this list as he is halfway through a six-year deal at Port Adelaide, and looks like a future Brownlow medallist.
Melbourne's Harrison Petty finds himself on this list and ranks around Adelaide's Riley Thilthorpe.
North Melbourne's Griffin Logue comes in at No.79, but hasn't had the greatest return on investment.
Bailey Smith's figure isn't as intoxicating as his football prowess, but sponsorship deals and outside commitments would likely see him dominate off and on the field.
Notable names (50-11)
44 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($800-$900k)
39 - Dan Houston ($850-$950k)
34 - Jack Lukosius ($900-$1m)
26 - Rowan Marshall ($900-$1m)
14 - Tim English ($1m-$1.1m)
Ugle-Hagan still received a hefty salary despite missing the entire 2025 campaign due to personal reasons, and is contracted for next year.
Dan Houston joined Collingwood along with an expensive meal ticket that has yet to reap the rewards.
Jack Lukosius, who was included in the three-club mega trade, was also handed a long-term contract and a substantial figure to join Port Adelaide.
Ruckmen Rowan Marshall and Tim English are also intriguing prospects given the historical reluctance of clubs to pay top-dollar for big men.
Marshall's figure has stopped St Kilda from going after Tom De Koning, who will likely feature inside the top 10 after currently standing at No. 93.
He is also being targeted by Geelong.
10. Nick Daicos ($1m-$1.1m)
9. Marcus Bontempelli ($1m-$1.1m)
8. Brodie Grundy ($1m-$1.1m)
7. Connor Rozee ($1.05m-$1.15m)
6. Tim Kelly ($1.1m-$1.2m)
5. Shai Bolton ($1.1m-$1.2m)
4. Errol Gulden ($1.2m-$1.3m)
3. Christian Petracca ($1.2m-$1.3m)
2. Clayton Oliver ($1.2m-$1.3m)
1. Tom Lynch ($1.45m-$1.55m)
Many names on this list won't surprise footy fans. However, eyebrows would be raised upon seeing Tim Kelly and Tom Lynch so high.
The Richmond spearhead is in the final year of his monster six-year deal, which he signed when he first joined the club from the Gold Coast, a deal that was extremely back-ended.
The same can be said for Kelly, who was also acquired on a huge contract after his time at Geelong.
Oliver and Petracca's long-standing, high-priced deals have become a point of contention, despite their interest in leaving the Demons last year.
Fremantle boom recruit Shai Bolton finds himself on this list and is locked away until the end of 2029 after departing the Tigers.
Interestingly, Brodie Grundy's paycheck is split among two clubs, with Collingwood still paying around $300,000 to feature for the Swans.
