Imagine a sport where the salaries of rising stars overshadow the earnings of proven legends. That's the reality Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan fears is unfolding in the AFL, and he's not holding back his concerns. In a bold move, Fagan publicly criticized the staggering contracts awarded to St Kilda's De Koning and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, calling them a potential threat to the league's competitive balance.
St Kilda made headlines during the off-season with a series of high-profile signings. They secured De Koning from Carlton on an eight-year deal worth a jaw-dropping $1.7 million per season and rewarded Wanganeen-Milera's breakout performance with a two-year contract valued at $2 million annually. These deals instantly made them the highest-paid players in the AFL, a title that traditionally belongs to seasoned veterans with proven track records. The Saints also bolstered their roster with long-term acquisitions like Sam Flanders, Jack Silvagni, and Liam Ryan, raising expectations for a team desperate to end their 56-year premiership drought.
But here's where it gets controversial: Fagan argues that these massive contracts for relatively unproven talents set a dangerous precedent. "I’m hoping those numbers we saw last year, via St Kilda, don’t become the new normal," Fagan told AFL.com.au. "I see it as a potential danger for the game." He believes the top earners should be the players who have consistently demonstrated their value on the field, not those still establishing themselves. "This isn’t a personal attack on Nasiah," Fagan clarified. "He has the potential to be a great player, but his career trajectory is still uncertain. And while ‘TDK’ has shown promise, he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype yet."
Fagan's concerns are not just about fairness; they're about the long-term health of the league. He fears a salary structure that prioritizes potential over proven performance could lead to imbalances, making it harder for teams to retain their best players and maintain competitive parity. This is a particularly pressing issue for the Lions, who are fighting to keep young star Zac Bailey from the clutches of rival clubs. Bailey, a 26-year-old mid-forward who scored 42 goals in 2025 and earned his first All-Australian selection, becomes a free agent at the end of this season and is expected to attract massive offers.
And this is the part most people miss: The Lions, despite winning back-to-back premierships, have one of the most balanced salary caps in the league, according to Code Sports’ 2025 AFL Rich List. Their highest-paid player, midfielder Hugh McCluggage, ranks 20th overall with earnings between $950,000 and $1,050,000. Other key players like Lachie Neale, Harris Andrews, Cam Rayner, and Josh Dunkley are spread throughout the top 100, reflecting a strategy that values depth over individual stardom.
As the Lions prepare for their 2026 campaign, they face leadership changes following Lachie Neale's departure amid personal issues. Harris Andrews is the frontrunner to take the reins, with potential support from Dunkley and McCluggage. Charlie Cameron has publicly endorsed Andrews, praising his embodiment of the Lions’ values. "He lives and breathes what it means to be a Lion," Cameron said.
The Lions kick off their season against the Western Bulldogs on March 7 at the Gabba, aiming to defend their premiership title. But the question remains: Will the league's salary structure allow teams like Brisbane to maintain their success, or will the rise of mega-contracts for unproven talents disrupt the balance? What do you think? Is Fagan right to sound the alarm, or is this just the natural evolution of player compensation in a competitive league? Let us know in the comments.
