AGE: 24. POSITION: MIDFIELDER Has been relatively well paid since winning the 2016 Rising Star award, signing a five-year deal with the Swans that runs through until the end of the 2023 season. Has moved into a midfield role this season after playing much of his early AFL career in defence.
AGE: 25. POSITION: DEFENDER Doesn’t get the same adulation and recognition as some of his midfield teammates but the drive and polish he provides across half-back can’t be understated. Aside from Christian Petracca, Salem is the Dees’ best ball-user. Going nowhere after inking a five-year deal on good money.
AGE: 23. POSITION: MIDFIELDER Made the big call to stay at Essendon when the sky was falling at the end of 2020. It is that sort of commitment, along with his speed and polish through the middle, that have many tipping McGrath to become a future captain. Was taken with pick No. 1 and although he started out his career in defence, the Bombers always saw him as a blue-chip midfielder.
AGE: 32. POSITION: FORWARD Has been one of the surprise packets of the season, proving a quality marking target deep in attack after battling some back and hip issues in recent years. Hooker has made quite a comeback in 2021 as part of a potent offence. Signed a monster five-year deal in 2016 when Fremantle chased him hard and the final years of that deal ensures he is on a good wicket.
AGE: 27. POSITION: DEFENDER Carlton extended its co-captain’s contract at the end of last season, following his heartwarming return to AFL football after missing two years with knee reconstructions. Like a number of his teammates, he has struggled to recapture his best form this season. But he remains locked into the Blues until the end of 2023.
AGE: 32. POSITION: MIDFIELDER Boak agreed to a new two-year extension at the start of 2020 after a spectacular 2019 season that saw him win the club’s best and fairest. Despite his form Boak chose security over the absolute top dollar like so many players of his vintage. It has been a remarkable - and remarkably durable career for Boak, who needs only a handful of games to hit 300 matches after averaging 19.7 matches a year across his career.
AGE: 20. POSITION: DEFENDER Lukosius is a strange beast, one of football’s most piercing kicks and capable of being the most damaging defender in the league given his height, marking ability, athleticism and capacity to cut opponents apart with that silky right boot. He isn’t a complete player yet but he has plenty of time. He certainly isn’t desperate to race home to Adelaide but will want to see improvement at the Suns before he signs past his current deal to the end of 2022.
AGE: 30. POSITION: FORWARD Dixon signed a new three-season deal over the summer but not at the kind of extraordinary figures which would limit the Power’s continuing list build. Dixon turns 31 this year so will need to maintain the rage but after crossing from Gold Coast has been at the forefront of the Power’s march up the ladder as a contested marking, long-kicking key position forward.
AGE: 27. POSITION: WINGMAN. Ellis remains an elite kick who capably fulfils his role as a hard-running wingman and flanker who decided to set up his life post-career by taking the money at Gold Coast. The Suns would be more than happy with his return so far despite their continuing issues, with Ellis to pocket just over $3 million for his five years at the Suns despite missing the 2020 flag with the Tigers after his move north.
AGE: 25. POSITION: RUCKMAN O’Brien emerged as a star AFL ruckman like a bolt from the blue after a long apprenticeship and then signed a four-year deal through to 2025. Having won the club’s best and fairest last year he would have secured a boost through incentives, with O’Brien now one of the most reliable ruckmen in the game. It has been a seamless transition from the Sam Jacobs era to O’Brien’s emergence.
AGE: 26. POSITION: WINGMAN Yet another of the club’s stars who is heading towards being a Bulldog for life. A five-year contract extension - signed two years ago - ties him to the club until the end of the 2024 season, by which time he will be almost 30.
AGE: 28. POSITION: FORWARD/DEFENDER Has one more year on the contract that he signed the season after he won the 2016 Norm Smith Medal and following some protracted contract haggling. Will be due for a sizeable pay cut after his deal expires at the end of 2022, which might help the Dogs’ salary cap structure.
AGE: 30. POSITION: UTILITY The ultra-reliable tall is one of the AFL’s most flexible players. Chris Scott can put him on the opposition’s best forward or thrust him into the ruck and even the wing in a running role. He has been rewarded winning two best and fairests as well as a third place last year. Opted for security when he signed a five-year deal in 2018 tying him to the Cats until 2023.
AGE: 28. POSITION: DEFENDER Headed for his third-straight All-Australian jumper, underlining what a super recruit he has been out of South Barwon in the Geelong Football League. He’s a brick wall across half-back and played one of the best games Chris Scott has seen from a defensive flanker in the after-the-siren win over Western Bulldogs. Provided incredible value all-round.