Top 20+ highest-paid AFL players 2025: salaries, average earnings & rankings
Find out about the top 20 highest-paid AFL players in 2025, including their salary and rankings.
The AFL has continued to dominate in Australia when it comes to the most followed. The league has enjoyed a considerable amount of money from sponsorship and commercial deals, leading to increased monetary incentives for players.
Here are the top 20 highest-paid AFL players for the 2025 season, along with their salaries:
Tom Lynch - $1.45 million per season
Ben McKay - $1.3 million per season
Christian Petracca - $1.2 million per season
Aaron Naughton - $1.2 million per season
Shai Bolton - $1.1 million per season
Tim Kelly - $1.1 million per season
Marcus Bontempelli - $1.1 million per season
Clayton Oliver - $1.05 million per season
Darcy Moore - $1.05 million per season
Patrick Cripps - $1 million per season
Zak Butters - $1 million per season
Isaac Heeney - $1 million per season
Connor Rozee - $1 million per season
Ben King - $1 million per season
Nick Haynes - $1 million per season
Jeremy McGovern - $1 million per season
Jack Steele - $950k per season
Bailey Smith – $950k per season
Andrew Brayshaw - $950k per season
Jordan De Goey - $900k per season
Tom Lynch - $1.45 million (Richmond)
Tom Lynch, who plays for Richmond, is the highest-paid AFL player with an impressive salary of $1.45 million per person.
Tom Lynch is one of the best forwards in the league and forms a key part of Richmond’s success in the AFL. He has a 7-year contract with the club that runs until the 2026 season.
Ben McKay - $1.3 million per season (Essendon)
Ben McKay, who plays for Essendon, is the second highest-paid AFL player on the list with a whopping yearly salary of $1.3 million.
McKay joined Essendon and currently has a 6-year contract that ends in the 2029 season. He has played for North Melbourne.
McKay is known for his defensive prowess.
Christian Petracca - $1.2 million per season (Melbourne FC)
Christian Petracca is arguably one of the best midfielders in the AFL today. His approach to the game is more with an explosive power. His current contract with the club runs until the end of the 2029 season.
Aaron Naughton - $1.2 million per season (Western Bulldogs)
Aaron Naughton plays as a forward. He is on an 8-year contract that runs until the end of the 2032 season. He is one of the most important players for the Bulldogs this season.
Shai Bolton - $1.1 million per season (Fremantle)
Shai Bolton making the list is justified due to his impressive performance in the league. He is a dynamic midfielder who also combines the role of a forward.
Bolton is on a 5-year contract with the Fremantle Dockers that ends in the 2029 season.
Tim Kelly – $1.1 million per season (West Coast Eagles)
Tim Kelly is another key player, especially for the West Coast Eagles. He makes the list of the highest-paid AFL midfielders today.
Kelly is on a 6-year contract with the West Coast Eagles that runs until the end of the 2025 season.
Marcus Bontempelli - $1.1 million per season (Western Bulldogs)
Bontempelli is a four-time All-Australian and surely makes the list for his performance over the years. He remains one of the key players for the Western Bulldogs.
Clayton Oliver - $1.05 million per season (Melbourne)
Clayton Oliver is a three-time All-Australian currently ranked as one of the best AFL midfielders. He also makes the list of highest-paid in the league with up to $1 million annual salary.
Oliver is known for his possession-based football, which makes him a key player in his team.
Darcy Moore - $1.05 million per season (Collingwood)
Darcy Moore earns $1.05 million at Collingwood. He is the current captain of the team and one of the best defenders in the AFL. His unique abilities include shutting down opposition forwards.
Patrick Cripps - $1 million per season (Carlton)
Patrick Cripps has been a key player in the AFL for a decade.
Zak Butters: $1 million per season (Port Adelaide)
Zak Butters, who plays for Port Adelaide, is one of the key players. He earns up to $1 million per season.
Isaac Heeney - $1 million per season (Sydney Swans)
The veteran and a notable name in the AFL.
Connor Rozee – $1 million per season (Port Adelaide)
Connor Rozee is one of the best AFL midfielders who has also been an important player for Port Adelaide, especially due to his leadership qualities.
Ben King - $1 million per season (Gold Coast Suns)
Ben King is a key forward for the Gold Coast Suns and makes the list of the highest-paid AFL players in 2025.
Nick Haynes - $1 million per season (Carlton)
Haynes is one of the most consistent players in Carlton and one of the league’s best-paid defenders in the AFL currently.
Jeremy McGovern – $1 million per season (West Coast Eagles)
Jeremy McGovern is a four-time All-Australian and is known for his intercept marking and defensive leadership, which makes him stand out as one of the best players in the AFL currently.
Jack Steele – $950k per season (St Kilda)
Jack Steele has been a key midfielder for St Kilda.
Bailey Smith - $950k per season (Western Bulldogs)
Bailey Smith is an AFL youngster known for his explosive pace and ball-winning abilities.
Andrew Brayshaw – $950k per season (Fremantle)
Andrew Brayshaw is one of the best midfielders in the AFL currently. In the 2022 season, he won the AFLPA MVP and has been one of the key midfielders for the Fremantle Dockers ever since.
Jordan De Goey - $900k per season (Collingwood)
Jordan De Goey plays midfielder-forward and is one of the key players in the Collingwood roster.
Sam Walsh - $900k per season (Carlton)
Sam Walsh is one of the fastest rising players in the league, known for his ball-winning ability as well as consistency in the midfield.
Toby Greene – $900k per season (GWS Giants)
Toby Greene makes the list of the highest-paid AFL players currently. He is the captain of the GWS Giants and is often celebrated for his heroics in crucial moments.