The annual CODE Sports ‘AFL Rich 100’ generates ample debate every year.
And the 2025 version was no exception, with a Richmond veteran topping the list — on a heavily back-ended deal — and a young Power star just scraping into the 100.
In the latest episode of the Midweek Tackle digital-only show ‘Tackle The Headline’, Herald Sun reporters Lauren Wood, Jon Ralph and Scott Gullan nominate some of the most underpaid — and overpaid — players on the list, as well as a trio of stars set for big pay increases next year as new deals kick in.
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No. 79: Griffin Logue – North Melbourne ($700,000-$800,000)
Scott Gullan says: “A former Fremantle Docker at North Melbourne, they had to pay him big money to get him over there. Fair to say it hasn’t worked. His last couple of years he’s had some injuries … so $750,000 seems overs.”
Jon Ralph says: “He did play VFL, so I think that’s the definition of ‘not working’.”
No.69: Zac Williams – Carlton ($750,000-$850,000)
Scott Gullan says: “He came over from GWS on a huge deal. It has lessened a little bit, but he’s still taking a lot of coin away.”
Jon Ralph says: “I think the definition of ‘not working’ is playing VFL, again.”
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No.44: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – Western Bulldogs ($800,000-$900,000)
Scott Gullan says: “We all know the story, but the facts are he’s getting paid $800,000 this year – and that is being overpaid for what he’s producing, I would suggest … A handshake for maybe $500,000 and we’re all happy.”
Jon Ralph says: “They’ll pay him out. I think it was amazing that he went up to that northern states wellness retreat facility and amazing he’s tried to move away from some of his friends. I don’t think it’s worked in anyway, has it, on either of those fronts? … Here’s my proposition. I’m Damien Hardwick, premiership coach: ‘Jamarra you can train with us across summer, but the No.1 proviso is you’re living at my house … and we’ll give you eight weeks. If you want to prove to yourself you can actually be an AFL footballer, that’s fine.’ I just think it’s a risk worth taking because if you do get it right, you’ve saved a player and also potentially won yourself a premiership.”
No.1: Tom Lynch – Richmond ($1.45m-$1.55m)
Scott Gullan says: “I’m sorry Tom, we know it’s back-ended and he tried his guts out this year … but $1.5 million is a little overs for what he produced.”
Jon Ralph says: “Those close to him point out it’s a $1 million average deal.”
UNDERPAID?
No.100: Jason Horne-Francis – Port Adelaide ($650,000-$750,000)
Scott Gullan says: “He’d be Port Adelaide’s second or third-best player, so you’d hope he’s getting a bump soon.”
No.94: Riley Thilthorpe – Adelaide ($675,000-$775,000)
Scott Gullan says: “We’re all in love with him. He signed a deal a few years ago, so he’s stuck in the $750,000 range. That’s way unders for a guy who could win the Crows the premiership. He’s a $1 million player on today’s wages.”
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No.21: Zak Butters – Port Adelaide ($950,000-$1.05m)
Scott Gullan says: “He’s ‘only’ on $950,000, but he plays like a player who should be on a lot more. He’s underpaid … I think he’s definitely out at the end of next year. People think they might be able to rustle him out this year – his relationship with Ken Hinkley is well known and he’s a bit of a ‘home boy’ – but I think he’s also got a bit of integrity about ‘I’ll see this out, I said I would’. And he’s probably going to take less to come home. I think Port will come with $1.5 million to $1.6 million because they have to, but I think he’ll take $1.2 million to come home and be in Victoria when he wants to. He’s given everything to that club, you can’t say he’s held back, he’s one of the great player of Port Adelaide already. But he’s going to have his right to exercise free agency.”
No.10: Nick Daicos – Collingwood ($1m-$1.1m)
Scott Gullan says: “He’s the best player in the comp, he wins all the awards – he’s only $1.1 million! He’s struggling to put food on the table!”
Jon Ralph says: “I think contract gets to about $1.4 million. He will do very well in his next contract and off the field.”
BIG JUMPERS?
No.99: Luke Davies-Uniacke – North Melbourne ($650,000-$750,000 to $1.3m)
Scott Gullan says: “That’s a nice jump!”
Jon Ralph says: “He’s had a poor year, I don’t think he adheres to tactics very well and gameplan. I don’t think he’d be embarrassed by that money – because that’s his right as a free agent – but he’d want to pull his finger out.”
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No.93: Tom De Koning – Carlton/St Kilda ($675,000-$775,000 to $1.8m)
Scott Gullan says: “Good luck to Tom! He’s going to be on top of our list for a while.”
No.76: Finn Callaghan – GWS Giants ($725,000-$825,000 to $1.2m)
Scott Gullan says: “He’s a mega star and signed a big deal at GWS.”