For better or for worse, AFL list management has shifted towards bigger and longer deals for the league's biggest stars.
Once unheard of, clubs are now prepared to offer players multi-year contracts worth millions of dollars. But it's not without risk.
These huge deals can hold a salary cap ransom for years, and can restrict list management at critical periods for a club's growth.
During last year's trade period, Collingwood were forced into a massive fire-sale of high-end talent after facing such a crisis. The implications of this forced exodus could haunt the Pies for years.
This year, Sydney are facing similar problems after big-money deals have stretched the club's budget thin.
When successful, these massive contracts can attract and retain the best talent in the league.
But when they fail, they can set a club back for years.
As we are now seeing in the AFL, these large contracts can bear a heavy burden for players. When a team is under-performing, the players on the biggest money are the first in the firing line.
The COVID-era has brought forced cuts into the salary-cap and further emphasised the perils of these monster deals.
We take a look at some of the contracts under the most pressure in the league. 👇
5. DAN HANNEBERY
St Kilda knew they were taking a risk by signing the previously injury-plagued Hannebery on a four-year contract, but it has panned out worse than they could have hoped.
Hannebery has only managed 15 games in three years of a deal reportedly worth around $500,000-per-year. This would mean that the Saints have paid over $33,000 for every game he has played.
The 30-year-old has agreed to sacrifice some of his pay check for the final year but, sadly, Hannebery's body seems to be giving out on him.
