Why AFL’s top earners got a boost in 2022; Clubs make captain calls; AFL’s profit
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news
- AFL player wages made a rapid rise in 2022, but a boost in the top earners was distorted by deferred payments from the pandemic seasons of 2020 and 2021.
- The AFL has recorded an underlying operating profit of $20.7 million for 2022, up from a loss of $46.1 million in 2021.
- Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says all options are on the table for the new captain of the club after Dayne Zorko ended his time as skipper this week.
- Marcus Bontempelli and Toby Greene will captain the Western Bulldogs and Giants, respectively, this season.
- AFL general admission tickets for the MCG and Marvel Stadium will remain at $27 for an adult, $18 concession and $5 for children, with those under four still allowed in for free.
Why AFL’s top earners got a boost in 2022
Roy Ward and Michael Gleeson
AFL player wages made a rapid rise in 2022, but a boost in the top earners was distorted by deferred payments from the pandemic seasons of 2020 and 2021.
Million-dollar man: Lance Franklin.Credit:Getty Images
The number of players earning more than a $1 million, 12 players, remained unchanged from 2021. But there was a rise in players earning between $901,000 and $1 million, from three players to 12, largely due to deterred payments from the COVID-affected seasons of 2020 and 2021.
A further 14 players entered the $800,000 to $900,000 group in 2022 after just 10 players were in that group in 2021.
League sources said Sydney superstar Lance Franklin, who kicked his 1000th goal during the season, was the highest earner on more than $1.3 million.
The AFL released its total player payment data for 2022 on Wednesday, with players receiving $257.6 million from clubs before deductions for injury allowances, finals incentives and other reasons. That figure was up 10.14 per cent from the 2021 figure of $233.9 million.
The average salary for a listed player in 2022 was $406,000, up from $372,224 in 2021. There were 659 listed players in 2022 and 371 of them earned under the league average.
One player earned less than $60,000, but he didn’t play a game and is believed to be a player who left the AFL early in the season but remained as a listed player.
There was also a decrease in the number of players who earned between $300,001 and $400,000 (six less) and a fall in those who earned between $400,001 and $500,000 (16).
AFL clubs were encouraged by the league to defer parts of player wages in 2020 and 2021 as a way to save money during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the league suffered substantial losses due to the need to move teams around the country to avoid lockdowns or outbreaks.
Clubs were able to defer five per cent of player salaries to 2022 as part of the pay deal agreed in November 2020, after players took pay cuts earlier in the year.
AFL records operating profit of more than $20m
Roy Ward
The AFL has recorded an underlying operating profit of $20.7 million for 2022, up from a loss of $46.1 million in 2021.
The $66.8 million increase comes from all parts of the business, including the AFL’s controlled state subsidiaries, Marvel Stadium and Champion Data, with the results sent to clubs ahead of the league’s annual general meeting next month.
The AFL recorded an underlying operating profit for 2022.Credit:Paul Rovere
The underlying profit was boosted by the majority of a $225 million government grant for Marvel Stadium’s redevelopment being received.
AFL chief financial officer Travis Auld said officials had prepared for another difficult year in 2022 due to the uncertainties of the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to run two AFLW seasons in one year.
“Our underlying profit was a budget break-even result, and while our profit and cash balance were both significant on paper, they included partial receipt of the majority of the $225 million government grant for the Marvel Stadium redevelopment partnership that was announced in 2018 – a redevelopment that is now close to being completed,” Auld said.
“Our balance sheet remains strong, and despite the significant cash cost required to deliver the AFL and two AFLW seasons, the co-ordinated effort to reduce the industry cost base and protect revenues means the AFL was able to report a cash surplus for the financial year.
“The focus remains on the rebuild and strengthening of the industry balance sheet that will enable future investment in the growth and development of our game from grassroots through to the elite platforms, while still investing significant funding into player mental health and welfare initiatives which remain well above pre-COVID levels.
“We have survived the most challenging three years in the game’s history and our priority remains to keep our game as affordable and accessible as possible for all.”
Fagan open to all options for new skipper
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says all options are on the table for the new captain of the club after Dayne Zorko ended his time as skipper this week.
The 34-year-old told Fagan of his decision on Monday, knowing the team would begin voting for its leadership group this week. It brings to an end a five-year tenure that began in the second half of 2018.
Lachie Neale and Chris Fagan after the Lions’ win over Richmond in the 2022 second elimination final.Credit:AFL Photos
Fagan is open to having two or three captains but could also see the team continuing with one captain should their selection process lead that way.
Zorko told SEN Queensland on Wednesday that he rated Hugh McCluggage, Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale as the three leading candidates to take over.
But Fagan expects the field to be far more open, with a number of younger leaders coming through, while he wants newcomers Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston to also be considered.
“I don’t know if we will have one captain, two captains – all things are on the table,” Fagan told media in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“You look at a team like Sydney, they had three captains last year and made the grand final. Everything is on the table.”
Once the players and coaches vote on the leadership group, Fagan and the coaches will ask for captaincy candidates and may even hold interviews for the role.
“Let’s say there are seven [in the leadership group], we will say which of you guys want to be captain, I hope a few of them put their hands up,” Fagan said.
Dayne Zorko.Credit:Getty Images
“But if just one bloke puts his hand up, then we know who the [new] captain of the Brisbane Lions is but if more than one does, then we will run a process around that.”
Fagan said he hadn’t heard anything about Neale not wanting to be captain and that he was an important leader at the club, while he added Gunston and Dunkley into the mix.
“The three that are getting talked about as being in the running [are candidates],” Fagan said.
“But blokes like Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston, who have just turned up at the club, are really experienced players with great leadership abilities, so they would be up there for consideration, and we have a really good group of young players coming up.”
Zorko spoke up for McCluggage on Wednesday, but listed Andrews as the front-runner.
“Harris has been the vice-captain for the last three years under myself,” Zorko told SEN Queensland.
“He’s a really well-respected voice among the playing group and around the club, he does everything right, he’s a really vocal leader.
“The other candidates are someone like Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage. Hugh, for me, is the one that probably has the ability to do it, whether maybe he’s a little bit too raw at the moment or he wants to find his feet a little bit more, that’s a decision the club will have to make. For me, he would be the perfect fit.”
Fagan also paid tribute to Zorko for stepping away this season while the team was a serious chance to lift the premiership trophy.
“We don’t want to jump the gun, but it would have been massively difficult for him to make that decision given the optimism around our football club,” Fagan said.
“He has taken the selfless approach. It’s one of our key values and that is what he has done.”
Bontempelli ‘honoured’ to stay Dogs skipper
Roy Ward
Marcus Bontempelli says he is honoured to extend his tenure as captain of the Western Bulldogs to a fourth season after the team named an unchanged leadership for 2023.
Jack Macrae will serve as vice captain for a second season, with Taylor Duryea, Caleb Daniel and Aaron Naughton in the leadership group.
“To be trusted again by the playing group and staff is something I won’t take for granted, while having guys of Jacko, Doc, CD and Naughty’s calibre is important in terms of building cohesion and continuing to search for sustained success,” Bontempelli said.
Marcus Bontempelli will continue to lead out the Western Bulldogs in 2023.Credit:Getty Images
“From a club point of view, we value contributions from the entire playing group and encourage individuals to bring their own leadership qualities to collectively add connection throughout the 2023 season.
“There is a positive energy around our football program at the moment, and it’s a privilege to lead this team for another season.”
Greene to lead Giants
Roy Ward
GWS have named Toby Greene as captain for 2023. The 29-year-old will lead the club as new coach Adam Kingsley begins his reign, while Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly will move from co-captains with Greene last season to vice captains.
Toby Greene to captain the Giants.Credit:Getty Images
“I’ve come a long way, and it took a long time but I’ve done a lot of work on my leadership skills,” Greene said.
“As a young kid I was probably nowhere near it and was trying to find my way in AFL footy, but I’m in my 12th season now, and I’ve been here since the start.
“It’s a massive honour, and I’ll certainly be putting all my time and effort into doing the best job I can.”
General admission prices unchanged for 2023
AFL general admission tickets for the MCG and Marvel Stadium will remain at $27 for an adult, $18 concession and $5 for children, with those under four still allowed in for free.
The AFL also announced on Wednesday it would continue its $54 family ticket for two adults and two children for all home-and-away games at the two Melbourne grounds.
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