Brisbane Lions Contracts & Salary Cap: Lachie Neale, 2024 Premiers & Championship Spending

The Brisbane Lions operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap, featuring dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale on a six-year deal worth approximately $6 million after extending through 2027.

Brisbane won the 2024 AFL premiership defeating Sydney 60-54 in the Grand Final, validating their aggressive salary cap management.

The club invested heavily in key forwards Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron while developing academy talent Kai Lohmann and Will Ashcroft at discounted rates.

Dom Ambrogio (list manager) balanced star spending with academy advantages, securing father-son pick Levi Ashcroft at Pick 5 in 2024 despite bidding expectations at Pick 1.

The Lions finished 2024 with 17-6 record before claiming their fourth premiership flag, first since 2003.

Click on any player’s name to view their complete biography and estimated net worth.

Brisbane Lions’ Biggest Contracts

1. Lachie Neale – Captain/Midfielder: Lachie Neale signed a six-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $6 million total. The dual Brownlow medallist (2020, 2023) reportedly earns $950,000-1.05 million annually after joining from Fremantle in 2018 trade costing picks 6, 19, and future first-rounder.
2. Joe Daniher – Key Forward: Joe Daniher joined as unrestricted free agent from Essendon in 2020 on a four-year deal worth approximately $4.5 million. The 30-year-old earns an estimated $1-1.1 million annually, though injuries limited him to 14 games in 2024 before booting three goals in the Grand Final.
3. Charlie Cameron – Forward: Charlie Cameron extended through 2027 on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million total. The three-time All-Australian earns an estimated $900,000-1 million annually after kicking 350 career goals including crucial Grand Final performances in 2023 (4 goals) and 2024 (3 goals).
4. Harris Andrews – Key Defender/Vice-Captain: Harris Andrews signed a seven-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $5.5 million total. The three-time All-Australian defender earns an estimated $750,000-850,000 annually, anchoring Brisbane’s defense that conceded just 54 points in the 2024 Grand Final.
5. Oscar McInerney – Ruckman: Oscar McInerney extended through 2027 on a deal worth approximately $3.5 million total. The 30-year-old ruckman earns an estimated $650,000-750,000 annually after breakout 2022 All-Australian season, though Darcy Fort’s emergence creates succession planning questions.

Brisbane’s top-five contracts total approximately $24-25 million, consuming roughly 35-40% of the club’s salary cap space. The Lions employ a premiership-proven model balancing elite talent with academy discounts creating sustainable contention.

How Brisbane Manages the $16.49M Salary Cap

The AFL’s salary cap for 2025 features a $16.49 million soft cap and $17.16 million hard cap including Additional Services Agreements. Brisbane operates near the maximum, maintaining approximately $500,000-800,000 remaining space after championship spending.

The Lions allocate 40-45% of salary cap to their top six highest-paid players, concentrating talent in proven performers. This contrasts with rebuilding clubs like North Melbourne spreading 35% across 10-12 developing players.

Brisbane benefits massively from academy advantages through father-son and Next Generation Academy picks. The club secured Will Ashcroft (Pick 2, 2022), Jaspa Fletcher (Pick 28, 2022), and Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5, 2024) at combined discount value exceeding $2 million in salary equivalence.

The Lions’ academy system allows maintaining stars like Neale ($1M), Daniher ($1.1M), and Cameron ($950K) while adding elite young talent. Brisbane matched bids for the Ashcroft brothers using points accumulated through savvy trading rather than salary cap manipulation.

Brisbane cleared salary space by trading Zac Bailey ($550K) to Hawthorn and losing Jack Gunston ($400K) to retirement before the 2025 season. These moves created approximately $950,000 additional cap flexibility for re-signing Callum Ah Chee and Brandon Starcevich.

Brisbane’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: Joe Daniher Gamble

Brisbane’s most significant salary cap decision came recruiting Joe Daniher as unrestricted free agent in 2020 despite chronic injury history. The club committed $4.5 million over four years to a forward who played just 15 games across 2017-2019 with Essendon.

Daniher’s recruitment cost Brisbane compensation pick 7, which Essendon used selecting Archie Perkins. The Lions bet $1-1.1 million annually on Daniher’s talent overcoming osteitis pubis injuries that derailed his Bombers career.

The gamble paid off partially: Daniher kicked 196 goals across 79 games (2.5 goals per game average) including crucial 2024 Grand Final performance. However, persistent injuries meant he missed 34 games across four seasons, representing $3 million in payments for limited availability.

Brisbane structured the deal front-loading payments in 2021-2022 ($1.2M annually) before reducing to $900,000-1M in 2023-2024 as younger players required extensions. This mirrors Geelong’s Tom Hawkins contract management, paying premium rates early before shifting to veteran discounts.

The Daniher decision reflects Brisbane’s win-now mentality, sacrificing salary cap efficiency for premiership firepower. The 2024 flag validates the strategy, though questions remain about 2025 viability as Daniher enters age-31 season with Will Ashcroft and Levi Ashcroft due for lucrative second contracts.

Salary Cap Strategy: Brisbane vs Gold Coast

Brisbane employs a premiership-focused model allocating 40-45% of cap space to six proven stars earning $750,000-1.1 million. Gold Coast pursues a balanced development approach spreading 35% across 10-12 emerging players earning $400,000-700,000.

The Lions leverage academy advantages securing elite talent (Ashcroft brothers, Fletcher) at below-market rates. Gold Coast similarly benefits from academy access but lacks Brisbane’s aggressive star recruitment through free agency and trades.

Brisbane’s philosophy targets sustained premiership windows (2023-2026) before salary cap squeeze forces rebuilding. Gold Coast’s patient approach builds toward 2026-2029 contention as Touk Miller ($950K), Noah Anderson ($850K), and Matt Rowell ($800K) enter prime years.

The Queensland rivals differ fundamentally: Brisbane trades future picks for immediate success, Gold Coast accumulates picks for long-term list building. Brisbane won 2024 premiership validating their aggressive strategy, while Gold Coast finished 15th with 7-16 record developing youth.

FAQs

How much is Lachie Neale’s contract worth?

Lachie Neale signed a six-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $6 million total, earning an estimated $950,000-1.05 million annually. The dual Brownlow medallist (2020, 2023) serves as Brisbane’s captain and highest-paid player, anchoring the midfield that delivered the 2024 premiership.

What is Joe Daniher’s salary at Brisbane?

Joe Daniher earns an estimated $1-1.1 million annually on his four-year deal through 2024, which Brisbane front-loaded at $1.2 million in 2021-2022 before reducing to $900,000-1 million in later years. The club recruited him as unrestricted free agent from Essendon in 2020 costing compensation pick 7.

How much salary cap space do Brisbane Lions have?

Brisbane has approximately $500,000-800,000 remaining salary cap space under the $16.49 million soft cap after 2024 premiership spending. The club operates near maximum capacity but cleared room by trading Zac Bailey ($550K) and losing Jack Gunston ($400K) to retirement before 2025.

Did Brisbane’s academy picks help their salary cap?

Brisbane saved approximately $2+ million in salary equivalence through academy discounts on Will Ashcroft (Pick 2, 2022), Jaspa Fletcher (Pick 28, 2022), and Levi Ashcroft (Pick 5, 2024). These father-son and Next Generation Academy picks allowed maintaining stars like Lachie Neale ($1M), Joe Daniher ($1.1M), and Charlie Cameron ($950K) simultaneously.