Two AFL players earn a million plus

In 2000, AFL players reached a pay milestone when two of them broke the $500,000 mark for an annual wage.

Just fifteen years later, that club was not so exclusive - it numbered 95 and the top couple were earning more than $1.2m.

The AFL's annual summary of total player payments, released on Friday, details the steady growth in player wages.

It showed that clubs paid a total of $200.2m last year before deductions allowed for injury allowances, finals incentives and other factors.

That was a 5.96 per cent increase on the 2014 total of $188.9m and the first time the $200m barrier had been broken.

The annual release of the figures is becoming a none-too-subtle return of fire at the AFL players association, which is campaigning for a greater share of AFL revenue.

The comprehensive figures were attached to a Friday media release ahead of their publication in the AFL annual report.

That report will outline AFL executive salaries, another regular source of keen media interest.

MY, HOW YOU'VE GROWN

1990 - top eight player salaries between $100,000-$200,000

2015 - 95 earning more than $500,000, two earning more than $1.2m

* Gross player payments

1998 - $62,186,000

2015 - $200,199,169

* Average listed player salary

2000 - $126,996

2015 - $302,104.