The financial side of AFL is one of utmost interest to fans, especially in the current day and age, as fans have never been more intrigued and aware of the inner doings at clubland.
The supporter base needs to know who is getting the big bucks,= in order to know the state of their side's list management, which highly dictates the performance of the team they devote so much time to.
Last year five players earned more than seven figures, with Richmond star Dustin Martin, Swans forward Lance Franklin, Eagles backman Jeremey McGovern, Dockers captain Nat Fyfe and Collingwood ruck Brodie Grundy all earning over a million dollars.
With most of these players in the twilight of their careers, we take a look at some potential future million dollar players.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have only taken players who are out of contract in 2022 or 2023 into account.Â
The current talk of the town, and with good reason.
Luke Jackson is a rare commodity, displaying great athleticism, being able to cover the ground and his ability to swing forward gives him the edge over the rest of the league's rucks.
The 20-year-old is a Rising Star and premiership winner already, and there's no doubt he has a big future ahead.
Big enough that he may be a top-10 player in the league, and being the prodigy of Max Gawn doesn't hurt.
In just his third season, the Western Australian has the praise of AFL greats like Jordan Lewis, who call him a hybrid of premier ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Nic Naitanui.
Other sides will be breathing down the neck of the off-contract 'unicorn', especially the two WA sides, so big money may be in sight for Jackson, from the Demons or elsewhere.
The latest freakishly good midfielder to come out of Tom Wills Oval is Tom Green.
Following names like Callan Ward, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio, Green finds himself as the next star mid for GWS.
Pick 10 in the 2019 draft, the Canberra recruit is yet to play 30 games but has already shown how outstanding his game is.
The 21-year-old has brought his A-game this season, averaging elite numbers in his three games so far.
Midfielder
Disposals
Contested Possessions
Clearances
Green is even gaining comparisons to another red-headed midfielder in Clayton Oliver.
The Giants wouldn't want to lose this one as they have with countless other quality mids over the years. Big sums might emerge in contract talks should Green continue the way he's started 2022.
With his contract set to finish in 2023, others are sure to come barking up that tree, with Richmond a potential suitor given Green's grandfather, Michael, is a Tiger's legend.
Shaping up to be the player that the Gold Coast Suns form their future around, Matt Rowell may be a million-dollar man in a matter of years.
Drafted at Pick 1 in 2019, Rowell started off with a bang, taking the Suns to a 3-1 start, collecting maximum Brownlow votes in three consecutive games before an injury in Round 5 ended his season.
He has since had to overcome several injury setbacks but has become one of the Suns' most important players at a young age.
To start this year, the Oakleigh Chargers export has performed strongly, with over 20 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances a game.
Rowell is that highly valued that AFL great Leigh Matthews would take him at number one still, above Jackson and Green, calling him a "generational" talent.
Coming off his breakout year in 2021, Carlton spearhead Harry McKay is shaping up to be a genuine option for the million-dollar club, especially if his next season or two matches last year.
The reigning Coleman medallist has enjoyed playing under new coach Michael Voss with a team-first mentality that has seen the side go 3-0.
McKay has still been able to star though, having a great start to the year with exceptional goal kicking at an elite accuracy rate.
Forward
Goals
Marks
Goal Accuracy
The 2021 All-Australian is an important part of this new and rejuvenated Carlton team, and will have a big role to play as they look to become a genuine contender once again.
Off-contract in 2023, McKay might be asking for the big bucks when the time comes for his re-signing.