Plenty of players across the league are reaching career-best form in contract years, putting them in line for richer contracts for 2024 and onwards.
Whether their own club is looking to secure their services for the future, or a rival clubs sparks a bidding war, there are players at each club that will be looking at a pay bump when contract talks commence.
Here we name 10 players who could earn pay rises for 2024 thanks to their current vein of form.
Port Adelaide's young flanker has transcended into an astute defensive stopper under Ken Hinkley this year, ranking elite for intercept marks and tackles in 2023, as well as above average for intercept possessions and contested possessions.
Bergman showed plenty of promise throughout his maiden campaign in 2021, playing 23 matches as the Power reached the preliminary finals, while his second season was limited due to form, injury and illness.
Now fit and firing as a defensive outlet for the Power, Bergman has been among the key role players that have lifted the Alberton-based club back into premiership contention this year.
Having found a more permanent home in defence, Bergman's defensive numbers have taken a leap to match his value to Hinkley's push for an elusive premiership.
With reported interest from Victorian clubs already surfacing at the midway mark of the season, Port Adelaide may need to pay up to retain their promising 21-year-old.
The Power will also have emerging pair Kane Farrell and Jed McEntee likely in line for similar pay bumps in 2023 after finding strong form through the opening half of the season.
After missing selection for the opening two rounds of the season, Jones took his chance after returning to Matthew Nicks' side to play in all 10 games since.
The Tasmanian utility previously had just one game of 20 or more disposals to his name heading into 2023, with Jones surpassing that benchmark on five occasions already this season as a conduit role player for the Crow.
Culminating with a 28-disposal outing against Carlton at Gather Round, Jones' value to the South Australian club is continuing to rise as he works his way through his fifth season at West Lakes.
A top 10 selection from the star-studded draft class of 2018, Jones is beginning to rise to the level many have already reached from that same crop of talent, with the likes of Sam Walsh, Connor Rozee, Bailey Smith, Zak Butters and King brothers Max and Ben having emerged as some of the competition's best performers.
While Jones won't demand the same pay packet, the 23-year-old's stock is ascending and he'll likely be in line for a pay bump with his next deal.
Given his ties to Tasmania, the Launceston product is sure to be one to watch over the coming years as the AFL expands to 19 clubs.
Carlton's back pocket is putting the clamps on the opposition's most threatening small forwards each week, allowing the likes of Adam Saad and Sam Docherty to move into more open roles across Michael Voss' back half.
While the Blues have endured another difficult season so far, Newman has been a shining light with his lockdown capabilities.
And while Newman's defensive traits have become a more vocal function in his game, the former Swan's fundamental ball-winning ability and efficiency have remained intact.
While Newman would be seen as a minuscule chance to depart the Blues, the club is sorting through a tight budget in 2023 after penning star Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow to lucrative deals last year.
The situation could see Newman earn a longer deal at a cut price instead of cashing in immediately, given he also began this season at 30 years of age and could seek security on his playing future.
The dashing Giants defender has continued to progress as a versatile asset across the defensive half in 2023, sharing his workload between the backline and midfield under Adam Kingsley.
The former Pick 4 has had just one game below 20 touches so far this season to rank elite for disposals and above average for effective kicks, metres gained and rebound 50s among defenders.
Much like fellow 2019 first-round selection Miles Bergman, Ash added two more years on top of his rookie contract after finding his feet at senior level.
With that deal now reaching an end, both Ash and the Giants will have a decision to make in 2023 for the future, with the 21-year-old's next deal sure to warrant a rise.
While the Giants have managed to sign away key youngsters in Tom Green and Finn Callaghan to new deals, the club is needing to secure not only Ash, but star swingman Harry Himmelberg as part of their next phase of retentions targets.
The Bombers' hard-nut backman has seen his importance at The Hangar reach new heights across the past 18 months to now be in consideration for a wealthy pay grade.
Redman capped off a career-best campaign in 2022 with a fourth-place finish in the club's best and fairest, while this year has only seen the South Australian's upward trajectory continue.
The explosive half-back remains a key contributor in Essendon's rearguard as a two-way juggernaut with his defensive prowess and ability with the ball in hand.
Redman is said to be of interest to Adelaide given his South Australian roots and free agency status, with a bidding war between the Bombers and Crows likely to ensue and only raise the fee for Redman's next deal.
With Adelaide's recent success in luring rival stars to West Lakes, coupled with their own free agent Tom Doedee being no certainty to re-sign, the Crows could push hard to tempt Redman across the border.
Essendon are anticipated to have substantial wiggle room this year and could see Redman as a retention priority over fellow free agent and midfield star Darcy Parish.
Another member of Essendon's back third, Zerk-Thatcher could also be in line for a pay bump when contract conversations strike at the Bombers.
After re-signing at the end of the 2021 season on a two-year deal, Zerk-Thatcher ended the following year as a mainstay in Essendon's rearguard thanks to a strong final eight games to see out his sixth year in the red and black.
The Sturt product has been a key cog in life under Brad Scott, holding down a stingy defensive partnership with Jayden Laverde that has also helped unlock newfound form for Jordan Ridley this year.
A player that suits the Bombers' system, the Dons will be hoping to have Zerk-Thatcher re-sign for 2024 and beyond given his lockdown ability and defensive nous.
Given Essendon are also weaker among their tall defensive options, Zerk-Thatcher's value is sure to be amplified.
The young Hawks forward penned a one-year extension last year in a show of faith from the club, with Brockman unable to play for the entirety of the season due to injury.
His return to senior level this season would kick off in style with a three-goal haul against North Melbourne to work alongside 500-goal veteran Luke Breust as Sam Mitchell's crumbing forward threats.
Now averaging a goal per game in his 20-game career to date, Brockman is showing more signs each week he has what it takes to compete in the top flight.
The 20-year-old is also offering plenty of pressure on the defensive end inside forward 50 as he continues to refine his craft as a nuisance to the opposition with his tackling and keen eye for goal.
Much like the Hawks themselves, Brockman will be hoping to continue his strong form through the back end of the season following their Round 14 bye after notching up successive wins to finish May.
2023 has been the season Kade Chandler would've hoped for so far. After 10 games in the past three years - seven of which as the sub - the South Australian has played in all 12 games at AFL level this year to cement his place under Simon Goodwin.
After a 29-goal premiership season with Casey in 2022, Chandler used his strong VFL campaign and the recent pre-season to springboard into this year as a viable small forward asset alongside the likes of Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Spargo, opening his 2023 season with 14 goals from his first eight games.
Chandler has combined for 58 goals with Pickett and Bayley Fritsch so far this season as the Demons look to return to the summit, with the small forward ranking above average for his position for tackles and tackles inside 50 to give a helping hand on the defensive end also.
After reported external interest at the end of the 2021 season, Chandler decided to remain in the red and blue for a further two seasons to prove his value to the club, a move that is now paying off to see the 23-year-old likely secure a much stronger deal
A full-time move to the backline in 2023 is already paying off for athletic Cat Esava Ratugolea, who has featured among Geelong's best performers on multiple occasions this year in his new role.
The experiment began through the latter stages of last season in the VFL, with Ratuglea swung to the backline after a testing first few seasons at Kardinia Park as a ruck-forward.
The high-flying key-position talent was strongly in the sights of Port Adelaide at the end of last year despite one-year remaining on hos contract with the Cats, who would hold the 24-year-old to his agreement instead of securing a trade with the Power.
On the lookout for a tall defender again this year, the Power are likely to come calling for Ratugolea in 2023 as his deal reaches its cessation, while the Cats will likely want to keep a hold of their versatile tall.
Other rivals are sure to also take notice of Ratugolea's availability at the back end of this season should he remain unsigned for 2024, with a bidding war likely to ensue.
St Kilda's powerful wing-forward hybrid was the surprise form player of the opening rounds of the season this year, putting his name up in lights as a potential first-time All-Australian select at the age of 29.
The in-form Saint has booted 10 goals from his 11 appearances so far this year to be among the most impact midfielders forward of the ball, while he ranks elite for marks - both contested and intercept, effective kicks, one percenters and goal assists in 2023.
Wood recorded 42 MVP votes across the opening three rounds to lead the competition at that point in the season, and while his form may have plateaued since, his role within a finals contending side has remained vital.
Eligible as a free agent this year, Wood is unlikely to weigh up his options away from St Kilda given the level of football he's reached under Ross Lyon, however the veteran Saint could look to cash in on his 2023 form when negotiations open.
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