The Herald Sun have released this year's AFL Rich 100 list, with plenty of surprises throughout the group of players.
As some of our stars range from close to $1.3 million per year to the $550,000 mark, it begged the reader to identify who was worthy of their pay check or who was coming in at a bargain.
Legendary player and coach Leigh Matthews went on the record stating that the best players should be earning a lot more than what they are.
“What hit me (reading the piece), the best players are getting a million or a million and a bit,” Matthews said on Sportsday.
“The average player over the 800 (players in the league) gets $350,000. I was thinking to myself, if the average player gets 350 then the very best should be getting more than a million.
“I still think if the average player is getting 350, then I reckon the top players should be getting 1.5 (million) at least.
"I think it is one of those issues... I just don’t think the very, very elite players get enough more than the average players.”
However, it is easy to make a snap judgement on those who are getting paid overs or who should be given less.
So instead, we've opted to list the 10 players from the Rich 100 list we believe are on UNDERS at their current club.
Note: This does not include players from outside the Rich 100 list.
10. Aaron Naughton ($750,000-$850,000)
Quickly becoming the game's next key big forward, Aaron Naughton has continued his impressive 2021 season and put himself in contention for All-Australian this year.
Only 22-years-old, the Bulldogs have a player that proves to be reliable inside the front half and seems to be getting better every year.
Could be Luke Beveridge's most important player, Naughton has no limit on what he can achieve which makes him such an exciting prospect going forward.
9. Tom Stewart ($600,000-$700,000)
Recruited as a mature-age pick in 2016, Tom Stewart has not missed a beat, with recruiters rueing the day they overlooked Stewart in the draft.
Geelong snagged arguably the best pick 40 ever in the history of the game and have reaped the rewards for their faith shown.
Stewart is a three-time All-Australian, which could easily be four in a month's time, providing so much balance and structure to the Cats' line up.
Only 29 years old, the number 44 has plenty of good footy ahead of him and could be the reason why Geelong find their 10th premiership.
8. Jeremy Cameron ($900,000-$1,000,000)
According to the Herald Sun, Jeremy Cameron sits seventh on the current players list in terms of dollar figures.
However, Cameron has earned that right and can sit comfortably believing he is the greatest player in the competition as we speak.
The former Giant's life at Geelong started a bit shaky with minor injuries to his hamstring but has put together an impressive 18 months, including his 2022 campaign, that skyrockets him to the elite status.
Despite the arguments for and against what he's supposedly worth, the Cats would believe they've got him as a bargain and will so for the next four to five years.
7. Max Gawn ($800,000-$900,000)
One of the healthier paid players in the competition, Melbourne skipper Max Gawn is worth every penny and it could be justified he deserves to be paid more.
Arguably the best player in the competition, the Demon ruckman does a lot for the club both on and off the field.
On the field, he is more than the best tap-ruck in the game, averaging 20 touches a game, six marks and consistently hitting the scoreboard.
Despite being 30-years-old, Gawn is still proving to be the best tall man in the game and should be rewarded with his sixth All-Australian jacket at season's end.
6. Tim English ($650,000-$750,000)
Set to take the competition by storm, Tim English has made claims as one of the premier ruckman in 2022.
Likely falling behind Max Gawn and Jarrod Witts, English's worth to the Western Bulldogs is paramount and will be until the end of 2024.
Turning away from a potential move home to WA, the 25-year-old has tremendous potential and will be keen to knock off Gawn from the pedestal.
Ruckman are hard to come by but elite ones are near impossible.
5. Touk Miller ($650,000-$750,000)
The heart and soul of the Gold Coast Suns, Touk Miller could be deemed a bargain for his consistent output, especially over the past few seasons.
Rewarded with his first All-Australian and club best-and-fairest, Miller has been the leader the Suns have craved since their inception, proving his value isn't just what he does on the field.
The 26-year-old sets standards and has helped create an environment for young stars to come in and thrive.
Appointed as the co-captain of the club at the beginning of 2022, expect that title to remain with him for a long time, being contracted until the end of 2027.
He's also won three Marcus Ashcroft Medals for being judged best afield in the QClash.
4. Angus Brayshaw ($600,000-$700,000)
Recently signing a huge six-year deal to stay at the Demons, Angus Brayshaw seems like a steal and most likely will be for years to come.
Playing across the half back and wing over the last couple of seasons, Brayshaw has shown he can also mix it with the best in the midfield and dominate, proving to be a valuable asset for the team attempting to go back-to-back.
Joining Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca on long-term contracts, the premiership player is such an underrated part of Simon Goodwin's team.
3. Charlie Curnow ($600,000-$700,000)
Charlie Curnow always had immense talent but struggled with crippling injuries that would limit him to 83 games in six seasons.
However, 2022 Curnow has jumped into superstar calculations, joining Jeremy Cameron and Tom Lynch as some of the best key forwards in the game.
In line to win his first Coleman, Carlton got this player at a bargain but would expect his next contract to be a little higher than his current one.
2. Steven May ($650,000-$750,000)
The general down back for Melbourne, Steven May is the most significant player in the Demon line up, which was accurately reflected when they lost three games to Fremantle, Sydney and Collingwood in his absence.
May is one of the game's best interceptors but also doesn't lose many one-on-one contests, while also providing structure for Jake Lever, Harrison Petty and Angus Brayshaw to play their role.
1. Mark Blicavs ($550,000-$650,000)
Arguably the most versatile player in the competition, Mark Blicavs gives a lot of bang for his buck.
Being deployed as a key defender, ruckman, midfielder and tagger, Chris Scott would be extremely pleased that Blicavs is on his list.
Aiming for his first All-Australian jacket, the 31-year-old is almost locked away a position but which?
Nevertheless, Blicavs continues to impress with his athletic ability at his 198cm height and will have his contract renewed at the end of 2023.
