AFL players' millionaire club grows to six

As the AFL players close on a new pay deal, annual figures show the most number of million-dollar plus players in four years.

The AFL players' millionaires club has grown to six - the most since 2012.

Average player salaries grew to $309,208 and the total wage bill for the 718 players was $204.3 million.

The figures were released on Thursday as part of the AFL's annual report.

Of the six players, who were paid $1 million or more, two went above $1.2 million.

In 2012, eight players were in the million-dollar club.

The release of the player payment figures quickly leads to speculation about who is in the top bracket.

Lance Franklin's monster free-agency deal with Sydney puts him in the top bracket and Western Bulldogs spearhead Tom Boyd is another.

The players are on the verge of securing a new pay deal after negotiations with the AFL that have dragged on much longer than forecast.