Collingwood operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap. Nick Daicos is on a five‑year deal worth about $5 million, running to 2027.Â
The club won the 2023 premiership and returned to the 2024 Grand Final, where they lost 60–54 to Brisbane.Â
Reportedly no player earns more than $900,000 per year. List manager Justin Leppitsch has prioritised depth, spreading spending across roughly 25 contributors.Â
Drafting Daicos with a father‑son Pick 4 in 2021 created a clear salary‑cap advantage.
Discover the Collingwood Magpies players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
Collingwood Magpies’ Biggest Contracts
- Nick Daicos – Midfielder: Nick Daicos signed a five-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $5 million total. He reportedly earns $850,000-950,000 annually despite superstar status warranting $1.2 million market value. The 21-year-old finished 3rd in 2024 Brownlow Medal voting after winning 2023 Rising Star and earning consecutive All-Australian selections.
- Darcy Moore – Captain/Key Defender: Darcy Moore extended through 2028 on a deal worth approximately $5 million total. The two-time All-Australian captain earns an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually. He took over captaincy from Scott Pendlebury in 2024, leading Collingwood to consecutive Grand Finals.
- Jordan De Goey – Forward/Midfielder: Jordan De Goey signed a five-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $4.5 million total. He earns an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually after booting 4 goals in the 2023 Grand Final. The 28-year-old averaged 20.5 disposals and kicked 38 goals in 2024.
- Scott Pendlebury – Midfielder/Leadership: Scott Pendlebury remains on a veteran contract earning an estimated $600,000-700,000 annually through 2025. The 36-year-old five-time All-Australian played 19 games in 2024, providing leadership as former captain. His reduced salary creates cap flexibility for younger stars.
- Jeremy Howe – Key Defender: Jeremy Howe extended through 2026 on a deal worth approximately $3.5 million total. The 34-year-old earns an estimated $650,000-750,000 annually despite age. He played 24 games in 2024, forming elite defensive partnership with Darcy Moore.
Collingwood’s top-five contracts total approximately $22-23 million across multiple years. The Magpies consume roughly 30-35% of salary cap space on these five players.
This balanced approach spreads value across 20+ contributing players earning $400,000-700,000 each.
How Collingwood 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. Collingwood operates efficiently at approximately $16.2 million with $300,000-500,000 remaining flexibility.
The Magpies allocate just 30-35% of salary cap to their top five highest-paid players. This distribution creates roster depth with 18-20 players earning $400,000-800,000 annually. Carlton concentrates 45-50% in five stars by comparison.
Collingwood benefits massively from Nick Daicos father-son discount. The club secured him at Pick 4 (2021) despite consensus top-3 talent. Market value for Daicos’s output would demand $1.2-1.5 million annually, yet he reportedly earns $850,000-950,000, creating $300,000-500,000 annual cap advantage.
The Magpies utilize veteran list exemptions for Scott Pendlebury. His salary counts at discounted rate against the cap despite earning $600,000-700,000. This exemption saves approximately $150,000-200,000 in cap space compared to standard contracts.
Collingwood cleared salary space by trading Dan Houston to Carlton for Pick 12 after 2024. The club also moved on from Mason Cox ($400K) and Beau McCreery ($350K), creating approximately $750,000 additional flexibility for 2025 re-signings.
Collingwood’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: Letting Adam Treloar Walk
Collingwood’s most significant salary cap decision came forcing Adam Treloar to Western Bulldogs in 2020 despite five years remaining on his contract. The club paid approximately $300,000 annually of his $900,000 salary for three seasons to facilitate the exit.
Treloar’s departure created immediate cap relief of $600,000 annually. The Magpies redirected savings toward extending Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, and Brodie Grundy. However, the Grundy extension ($1 million annually through 2027) backfired when he was traded to Melbourne in 2022.
The combined cap management saw Collingwood paying portions of Treloar ($300K annually) and Grundy ($300K annually) salaries at rival clubs simultaneously. This totaled $600,000 in dead cap space during 2023 premiership season, proving depth strategy overcomes inefficiency.
The Treloar decision remains controversial among supporters. He averaged 28 disposals across four Bulldogs seasons, validating his talent. Yet Collingwood won 2023 flag without him, suggesting list balance matters more than individual stars.
This ruthless approach differs from Carlton’s loyalty-focused culture. The Blues retain underperforming veterans, while Collingwood cuts losses aggressively. The contrasting philosophies show in recent success: Collingwood two Grand Finals, Carlton zero finals wins since 2013.
Salary Cap Strategy: Collingwood vs Carlton
Collingwood employs a balanced depth model allocating 30-35% of cap space to five players earning $650,000-950,000. Carlton pursues star accumulation concentrating 45-50% in seven players earning $800,000-1.05 million.
The Magpies spread value across 20+ contributors with no player exceeding $950,000 despite consecutive Grand Finals. Carlton invests heavily in key positions with Patrick Cripps ($1.05M), Harry McKay ($900K), and Charlie Curnow ($900K). Yet they’ve missed finals four consecutive seasons through 2024.
Collingwood’s philosophy creates sustainable contention through list depth weathering injuries. The 2024 Grand Final run occurred despite losing Dan McStay (knee) and Brayden Maynard (suspension) during finals. Carlton’s top-heavy list lacks coverage when stars miss games.
The bitter rivals represent opposing list management philosophies. Collingwood proves premierships come from 22-player contribution, not five superstars. Carlton’s $25-27 million concentrated in five players delivers regular season success but crumbles under finals pressure.
Traditional blockbusters draw 90,000+ crowds at MCG twice annually. Collingwood holds 2023 premiership bragging rights and 2024 Grand Final appearance. Carlton hasn’t won finals since 2013 despite spending $2-3 million more on concentrated star talent.
FAQs
How much does Nick Daicos earn at Collingwood?
Nick Daicos earns an estimated $850,000-950,000 annually on his five-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $5 million total. The 21-year-old superstar’s market value exceeds $1.2 million, but Collingwood secured him at discount as father-son pick, creating $300,000-500,000 annual cap advantage.
What is Darcy Moore’s contract worth?
Darcy Moore signed an extension through 2028 worth approximately $5 million total, earning an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually. The two-time All-Australian captain leads Collingwood’s defense that conceded just 79.8 points per game in 2024, ranking 4th in the AFL.
Does Collingwood have salary cap space?
Collingwood has approximately $300,000-500,000 remaining salary cap space under the $16.49 million soft cap. The club operates efficiently through balanced spending with no player exceeding $950,000 annually, allowing flexibility for mid-season injury cover or rookie extensions.
Why does Collingwood’s depth strategy work better than Carlton’s star model?
Collingwood won 2023 premiership and reached 2024 Grand Final spending just 30-35% of cap on five players. Carlton invested 45-50% in seven stars but missed finals four consecutive seasons. Depth strategy provides injury coverage and consistent 22-player contribution that star-heavy lists lack under finals pressure.
