This season is shaping up to be an opportune platform for several off-contract players to prove they're in line for substantial pay rises ahead of inking their next deals.
The opening 10 rounds have seen a handful of players reach new heights and career-best form in a timely manner as their current deals reach their cessation at season's end.
Each club currently has a raft of names unsigned for next season as they move through 2022, with already-announced stars, emerging prospects and bargain buys among those set to place further pressure on their respective club's purse strings.
With over 200 players unsigned for next season, we take a look at EIGHT who are set to earn bumper deals following hot starts to the season.
1. Josh Daicos
While plenty of attention has been placed on his brother, Josh Daicos is thriving outside of the spotlight at the AIA Centre.
The 23-year-old is enjoying a stellar season in his sixth year at Collingwood, having earned a more relied-upon role further up the ground while continuing to be a threat in the attacking third.
Daicos is amassing career-highs in disposals, goals, inside 50s and score involvements in holding down a role between the wing and half-forward, and his numbers are sure to place further pressure on the Magpies' purse this year.
Collingwood have already secured the key signature of Darcy Moore to a long-term contract, while the likes of Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey remain unsigned and are seen as priority retentions for the future.
Midfielder
Disposals
Goals
Inside50s
Daicos' future in the black and white won't be questioned, but contract talks could get tricky should he continue his impressive run of form while the Magpies look to weigh up sizeable deals for other key figures.
It is understood that Daicos was yet to open talks on a new deal last month, while Collingwood have already locked away eight players to new deals so far this year.
