With over 800 professional players competing across 18 AFL clubs (soon to be 19), the competition isn’t just fierce on the field, it’s financially booming off it too. Thanks to blockbuster TV deals, record-breaking attendance, and a passionate fan base, the AFL remains Australia’s wealthiest sporting code, and its top players are reaping the benefits.
Each year, the AFL collects detailed salary data across the league, and media outlets like The Herald Sun and Code Sports compile this into what’s essentially a “Rich List” of the game’s biggest earners. In 2024, 25 players earned more than $1 million, up from 19 the year before, and that number is expected to rise again in 2025.
While some familiar faces remain in the top 10, there are new names making serious money, and others, like Dustin Martin, have retired and left the list entirely. Meanwhile, mega-deals for rising stars like Mac Andrew, Finn Callaghan, and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are set to shake things up from 2026 onward.
But for now, here are the 10 highest-paid players in the AFL for 2025.
Estimated salary: $1 million – $1.1 million
Already considered one of the AFL’s elite at just 21, Daicos continues to deliver on the hype. With a long-term deal locked in through 2029, his earnings are only going up. If he adds a Brownlow to his growing trophy cabinet, expect this number to rise fast. Collingwood are the second favourites to win the AFL championship, although the live betting odds will shift if Daicos puts in the performances he’s capable of.
Estimated salary: $1 million – $1.1 million
A model of consistency and leadership, Bontempelli is arguably the most influential midfielder in the competition. While his 2025 salary is impressive, it’s worth noting that a new contract kicks in from 2026, which will likely see him climb higher on this list next year.
Estimated salary: $1 million – $1.1 million
Grundy’s pay packet is one of the more complicated in the league. After being moved from Collingwood to Melbourne and then to Sydney, the Pies are still paying part of his contract. That deal runs through 2027, making it a smart bit of business for the Swans, who get a veteran ruck at a partial discount.
Estimated salary: $1.05 million – $1.15 million
At just 25, Rozee is already the captain at Port Adelaide and signed through 2032—one of the longest deals in AFL history. His combination of pace, agility, and ball use makes him one of the league’s most watchable players, and one of its best-paid.
Estimated salary: $1.1 million – $1.2 million
Kelly’s deal is in its final year, and while he continues to flash brilliance, especially alongside young star Harley Reid, it’s uncertain whether West Coast will renew his hefty contract. Still, in 2025, he remains one of the top earners in the game.
Estimated salary: $1.1 million – $1.2 million
After being traded from Richmond during their rebuild, Bolton now lights up games for Fremantle. On a seven-figure deal until 2029, Bolton played a key role in the Dockers’ finals push in 2025, and they’ll be counting on him to deliver even more in the postseason.
Estimated salary: $1.2 million – $1.3 million
One of the most electric players in the AFL, Gulden’s contract made headlines after Adelaide reportedly offered him a 10-year megadeal. Sydney held firm, and Gulden is now locked in on big money. A foot injury limited his 2025 season, but when fit, few can match his impact.
Estimated salary: $1.2 million – $1.3 million
After a devastating injury in 2024, many thought Petracca’s days in the red and blue were over. But 2025 saw him return, and while Melbourne struggled overall, Petracca’s form reminded fans just how valuable, and explosive, he still is.
Estimated salary: $1.2 million – $1.3 million
Back from injury and reunited with Petracca in the midfield, Oliver’s 2025 campaign showed flashes of the dominance he’s known for. Still only 27, his best football is likely ahead of him. The real question is whether Melbourne can build a strong enough team around him to chase another flag.
Estimated salary: $1.45 million – $1.55 million
At the top of the list is veteran key forward Tom Lynch, whose back-ended deal has ballooned to AFL-record territory. With 2025 marking the final year of that massive contract, Richmond will be looking forward to salary cap relief as they continue their rebuild. Lynch may not remain in the top spot for long, but for now, he reigns supreme.
What’s clear from this list is that seven-figure salaries are no longer reserved for Brownlow winners and premiership heroes. With new media deals and a growing salary cap, players who combine elite talent with strong leadership or marketability are being paid like never before.
By 2027, the AFL expects every club to have at least three million-dollar players, showing how rapidly the financial landscape is changing. The rise of young stars like Mac Andrew, Finn Callaghan, and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, whose megadeals kick in from 2026, suggests this list will look very different in just a year’s time.
But for now, these ten players stand as the highest-paid in the AFL, not just for their talent, but for the impact they have on games, clubs, and crowds.
