Timing is money: The EIGHT off-contract AFL players in line for a pay bump

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.

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.

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.

Griffin Logue

The Dockers' backman has been instrumental in defence across the opening third of the season, even breaking club records as he steers himself through a career-best campaign.

Logue recorded 17 intercepts against the Suns in Round 9, surpassing a feat previously held by teammate Luke Ryan and ex-Docker Garrick Ibbotson.

The performance adds to an impressive 2022 for the Western Australian, who is averaging 15.3 disposals, 6.7 marks, 2.9 intercept marks while losing just 6.3 per cent of defensive contests.

Logue is among a handful of key defenders at Justin Longmuir's disposal, with Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan and Hayden Young among those demanding minutes in lockdown roles for the Dockers.

With an excess of options down back, Fremantle wouldn't be drastically hindered by a potential Logue departure, while a rival club would likely be willing to shuffle valuable assets in return for the former top 10 draft selection.

Logue last signed with the Dockers on a three-year deal in 2019, which followed an extension just two weeks into his AFL career in December of 2016.

Now weighing up his next decision, Logue has gained reported interest from Victorian clubs across the course of the year and could end up in the midst of a bidding war should enough suitors emerge.

Daniel McStay

The in-form Lions forward has already had his name run through the rumour mill this year, having been linked to a return to his home state of Victoria.

It's understood the 26-year-old could be on the end of offers in the vicinity of $600,000 per season as clubs scurry to secure key forward assets.

McStay's numbers don't read as an answer to a struggling club's attacking woes, having amassed just 123 goals in 145 - with the Brisbane free agent seen as more of a deputy target.

His current role in Queensland is that of a third-string option in attack, battling with star duo Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood in the Lions' pecking order.

Injuries to the prolific partnership have given McStay a platform to prove his worth in the top flight, having enjoyed standout performances across the course of this season when given a leading role.

READ: Five potential landing spots for Daniel McStay

McStay was dominant against Geelong's stingy backline in Round 4, booting three goals and amassing 11 marks as the Lions' most lethal spearhead.

More still needs to be seen for McStay to warrant a reported price tag of $600,000 a season, but his most recent camapign to date is sure to land him a bumper deal, in Brisbane or elsewhere.

Mitch Lewis

The Hawks' key forward has lifted into the first-string spearhead duties under first-year coach Sam Mitchell, landing a return of 22 goals from his seven games to start this season.

The 3.14-goal per game average places Lewis among the top bracket of key forwards this season, placed in the top 10 of the Coleman Medal race.

Lewis last inked an extension with Hawthorn at the end of the 2019 season after tallying 14 career games in the brown and gold before signing on the dotted line.

Across the past three seasons, the 23-year-old has been placed on a path to lead Hawthorn's attack in their new era, but 2022 has shown to be a breakout campaign for the Calder Cannons product.

Lewis is on track to boot close to 60 majors for the season and will demand a substantial pay rise in his next deal.

Angus Brayshaw

After being shuffled out of the Demons' engine room in a move that played an integral part in the club's successful September run last year, Brayshaw has shown further flexibility in 2022 in a switch to half-back.

The injury and subsequent absence of defender Christian Salem inspired the move into the Demons' well-oiled backline, with Brayshaw flourishing in a role that has resulted in form that is rivalling his 2018 Brownlow podium campaign.

Off-contract this season, Brayshaw's newfound style and output could warrant a spike in both external interest and salary as he continues to push his case for an All-Australian backline spot.

The Dockers are a likely keen suitor for Brayshaw, given the obvious family link with his brother Andrew and Fremantle's continued bid to lure Western Australian products back to their state of birth.

Brayshaw would also complement a Dockers midfield that, like Melbourne, thrives at the contest while often relying on their width.

Jack Higgins

The lively Saints goalsneak has started this season in fine form, having enjoyed three outings that forged four or more goals in victories for Brett Ratten's side.

Concussion has halted the former Tiger from featuring in every match to start the year, with Higgins' absence amplifying the Saints' reliance on the young forward across multiple rounds this year.

There's no doubt Higgins is enjoying a career-best campaign, which can be expected for a fifth-year forward, with his asking fee likely to place pressure on the Saints' purse as Rowan Marshall, Josh Battle and Zak Jones are also among those off-contract.

Just how much will the Saints be willing to pay Higgins on his next deal? The 23-year-old's form could warrant a hefty fee when compared to the likely wages for fellow small forwards Dan Butler and Jade Gresham.

Patrick McCartin

The former Saint has been one of the recruits of the season, having transitioned into a defensive role under John Longmire and playing in all but one game to start the season in his return to the top flight.

It was always going to be a gamble for both McCartin and the Swans, but the dice roll has already begun to pay off for both parties as the 26-year-old continues to flourish as a lockdown option down back.

Having signed as a rookie through the Supplemental Selection Period, Sydney landed McCartin's signature on the cheap and for just the one-year.

With his form this season proving to be of great value to the Harbour City club, McCartin is sure to be in line for a healthy new contract when sums begin to be tabled.

Bailey Smith

Since day one, it has been believed Bailey Smith was set for stardom, and the Bulldogs youngster has seemingly struck the stratosphere in 2022.

The Dogs' ball-magnet ranks third in the league for disposals per game in his fourth season in the AFL, collecting 33 possessions each outing.

Add to that are the 21-year-old's elite numbers for inside 50s, rebounds 50s, effective disposals, goal assists and score involvements among players of his position.

The Bulldogs have a tough task ahead of them in regards to their off-contract names at the Kennel, with the likes of Josh Dunkley, Tim English, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Dale and Jason Johannisen among those also needing new deals.

Smith may be at the higher end of value to Luke Beveridge among the aforementioned group of stars, placed as the youngest by some distance in being the only player under 24 years of age.

His meteoric rise, doubled by his unparalleled market value off-field, has placed him in the top echelon of sought-after names from a media and merchandise perspective.

With his ball-winning abilities and marketable mastery, Smith is sure to be on the receiving end of sizeable figures both at Whitten Oval and elsewhere.