Carlton Blues Contracts & Salary Cap: Patrick Cripps, Harry McKay & Aggressive Spending

The Carlton Blues are bound by the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap and have Patrick Cripps secured on a seven‑year contract valued at roughly $7 million, which runs through 2027. 

After a 10–13 season in 2024 that left them 11th on the ladder, the club missed the finals for a fourth straight year. Management has doubled down on key-position continuity, handing long-term extensions to Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, and Jacob Weitering that together exceed $15 million. 

List manager Nick Austin has pushed an assertive spending plan designed to target a 2025–2027 premiership window, bringing in recruits such as Zac Williams (about $4.5M over five years) and Adam Cerra (around $3.5M over four years) while retaining the club’s homegrown core.

Learn more about Carlton Blues players’ backgrounds and financial details by selecting their name below.

Carlton Blues’ Biggest Contracts

1. Patrick Cripps – Captain/Midfielder: Patrick Cripps signed a seven-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $7 million total. He reportedly earns $950,000-1.05 million annually as the 2022 Brownlow medallist and two-time All-Australian. The 29-year-old West Australian averaged 27.5 disposals and 7.1 clearances per game in 2024 despite Carlton’s disappointing season.
2. Harry McKay – Key Forward: Harry McKay extended through 2028 on a deal worth approximately $5 million total. The 2021 Coleman medallist earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually after kicking 44 goals in 2024. Injuries limited him to 19 games, creating value questions for Carlton’s second-highest paid player.
3. Charlie Curnow – Key Forward: Charlie Curnow signed a six-year extension through 2029 worth approximately $5.5 million total. He earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually after winning the 2023 Coleman Medal with 67 goals. The 27-year-old kicked 54 goals in 2024 despite Carlton’s struggles.
4. Jacob Weitering – Key Defender: Jacob Weitering extended through 2028 on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million total. The two-time All-Australian defender earns an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually. He anchors Carlton’s defense that conceded 92.8 points per game, ranking 11th in the AFL.
5. Zac Williams – Defender/Midfielder: Zac Williams joined as unrestricted free agent from GWS in 2020 on a five-year deal worth approximately $4.5 million. He earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually despite injury struggles limiting him to 14 games in 2024. His contract expires after 2025, freeing significant cap space.

Carlton’s top-five contracts total approximately $25-27 million across multiple years. The Blues consume roughly 40-45% of salary cap space on these five players. This star-heavy approach contrasts with Collingwood’s balanced 25-player depth model.

How Carlton 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. Carlton operates at maximum capacity with minimal remaining space after aggressive spending between 2020-2023.

The Blues allocate 45-50% of salary cap to their top seven highest-paid players. This concentration strategy mirrors Geelong’s veteran spending but targets younger stars in their prime years. Carlton’s average list age of 24.8 years ranks 8th in the AFL.

Carlton benefits from no father-son or academy picks since Liam Stocker (Pick 19, 2018). The club lacks the discount advantages enjoyed by Brisbane (Ashcroft brothers) or Collingwood (Nick Daicos). This forces Carlton into aggressive free agency and trade market recruitment.

The Blues cleared salary space by delisting Liam Jones ($400K) and trading Marc Pittonet ($350K) to Brisbane before 2024. These moves created approximately $750,000 cap flexibility for recruiting Dan Houston from Port Adelaide at Pick 12.

Carlton faces salary cap pressure in 2025-2026 with Sam Walsh ($850K estimated) and George Hewett ($600K) due for contract extensions. The club must navigate Zac Williams’s $900K expiring deal while maintaining championship list competitiveness.

Carlton’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: The 2020 Free Agency Splurge

Carlton’s most significant salary cap decision came recruiting Zac Williams (GWS) and Adam Cerra (Fremantle) for combined $8 million across nine years. The club committed approximately $1.7 million annually to two external players in 2020-2021.

Williams cost Carlton compensation pick 7 through unrestricted free agency. The deal paid $900,000-1 million annually for a defender averaging 20 disposals but missing 38 games across four seasons through injury. His value proposition declined dramatically from the initial investment.

Cerra arrived via trade costing picks 6 and future third-rounder. Carlton committed $3.5 million over four years ($850,000-900,000 annually) for a midfielder averaging 23 disposals. He’s delivered reasonable value with 64 games across three seasons.

The combined gamble totaling $8 million represented Carlton’s aggressive win-now strategy. The club bet external talent would accelerate premiership timelines faster than draft development. Four years later, Carlton has zero finals wins to show for the investment.

This approach contrasts with Collingwood’s patient list building through the draft. The Magpies won 2023 premiership with just three external recruits in their best 22. Carlton’s strategy requires immediate success to justify opportunity cost of surrendering future draft capital.

Salary Cap Strategy: Carlton vs Collingwood

Carlton employs a star-accumulation model allocating 45-50% of cap space to seven elite players earning $800,000-1.05 million. Collingwood pursues a balanced depth approach spreading 35% across 25 players earning $400,000-700,000.

The Blues concentrate talent in key positions with Cripps ($1M), McKay ($900K), and Curnow ($900K). Collingwood spreads value across the ground with no player exceeding $900,000 despite winning 2023 premiership. Nick Daicos reportedly earns $750,000-850,000 despite superstar status.

Carlton’s philosophy targets 2025-2027 premiership window before salary cap squeeze forces list refresh. Collingwood’s sustainable model allows extended contention through 2028 without dramatic list turnover. The Magpies’ 2024 Grand Final appearance validates their strategy.

The bitter rivals meet twice annually in marquee blockbusters drawing 80,000+ crowds. Carlton holds traditional “Big Club” status but hasn’t won premiership since 1995. Collingwood claimed 2023 flag with list costing $2-3 million less in concentrated star spending than Carlton’s top-heavy approach.

FAQs

What is Patrick Cripps’s contract worth?

Patrick Cripps signed a seven-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $7 million total. He earns an estimated $950,000-1.05 million annually as Carlton’s captain and 2022 Brownlow medallist. The deal keeps him at Carlton for his entire prime career through age 32.

How much does Harry McKay earn at Carlton?

Harry McKay earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually on his contract through 2028 worth approximately $5 million total. The 2021 Coleman medallist is Carlton’s second-highest paid player despite injury struggles limiting him to 19 games in 2024 after kicking 44 goals.

Does Carlton have salary cap space remaining?

Carlton has minimal salary cap space remaining, operating near the $16.49 million soft cap maximum after aggressive 2020-2023 spending. The club faces pressure with Sam Walsh and George Hewett due for extensions while Zac Williams’s $900K expiring deal creates potential relief in 2026.

Why did Carlton’s spending strategy fail to deliver finals?

Carlton invested $25-27 million in five star players but missed finals four consecutive seasons through 2024. The star-heavy approach left limited depth, with injuries exposing thin list coverage. Collingwood won 2023 premiership spending $2-3 million less on concentrated talent, proving balanced depth can outperform top-heavy lists.