As the AFL Grand Final approaches, the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions prepare to clash in a highly anticipated match.
AFL players are renowned for their athletic prowess and high salaries. But what happens when the final siren blows and they hang up their boots for good? For many, a savvy investment in property can secure their financial future. Let's take a look at how some of the AFL's biggest names are navigating the property market with a focus on the Grand Final titans.
Sydney Swans:
Callum Mills: The star Sydney Swans captain, may have been ruled out of playing in Saturday's AFL Grand Final but he recently kicked a goal with his latest addition to his growing property portfolio. Alongside his partner Tiffany Browne the swan star player purchased a luxurious $6.4 million estate in Duffys Forest, NSW.
This two-hectare property is just the latest addition for the couple, who already have a combined real estate portfolio worth millions. Mills owns a $1.74 million terrace in Paddington, while Browne comes from a family with extensive property investment experience.
Her father, Toby Browne, is the owner of PharmaCare and heads the Browne family's property investment company. With Mills' family also involved in the property industry through his father's luxury home design and construction firm Cadence & Co., it's clear that real estate runs deep in this couple's blood.
Luke Parker: The Sydney Swans midfielder recently offloaded his Matraville duplex in Sydney's inner west, co-developed with his interior designer wife Kate Lawrence-Parker, for a cool $3 million. Since then the couple have started documenting the renovation of their forever home 'The Corner House' via Lawrence-Parker's Instagram.
Lance "Buddy" Franklin: The retired Swans superstar forward remains a major player in the property market, although details about his current Sydney residence are private. However, his purchase of Villa Casa in Reedy Creek on Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland for a record-breaking $8.75 million in late 2023 solidified his reputation as a savvy investor alongside his entrepreneur wife Jesinta Franklin. The couple, who share two young children, Tallulah and Rocky, moved to the Gold Coast last year when Buddy, 37, retired from playing AFL after stints with Hawthorn Football Club from 2005 to 2013 and the Sydney Swans from 2014 to 2023.
Brisbane Lions:
Lachie Neale: This midfield maestro secured his future with the Lions with a hefty contract extension until 2026. Neale, who earns an estimated $850,000 to $950,000 annually, has proven to be a shrewd property investor.
After being lured to Brisbane from the Fremantle Dockers in 2018, Neale purchased a $1.77 million house in Coorparoo. His foresight paid off handsomely, as he flipped the property for a staggering $2.6 million in 2022 - a near million-dollar profit.
Neale didn't stop there; he then splashed out on a dream Hamptons-style home in Seven Hills for $2.43 million, solidifying his position as a property market player.
Josh Dunkley: The young gun recently joined the Lions from the Western Bulldogs and wasted no time putting down roots in Queensland. Dunkley and his superstar netballing partner, Tippah Dwan, splashed out a cool $2.265 million for a character-filled home in Paddington in Sydney's Eastern suburbs.
Josh recently shot a video showing off his impressive lawn and incredible pool area with drone shots over the backyard.
They recently renovated with the help of The Block alumni Leah and Ash and the results are incredible!
The two-story property boasts five bedrooms, a pool, a wine cellar, and a sprawling backyard - perfect for entertaining and unwinding after a big game.
Beyond the Grand Final contenders:
Former Bulldogs captain Chris Grant has kicked a goal in the property market, selling his lavish waterfront home in Williamstown, Victoria for a record-breaking price.
The Australian football Hall of Famer listed the property for $8 million to $8.8 million in August 2023 and it eventually sold for an undisclosed sum believed to be around $8.5 million.
Meanwhile, ex-Collingwood and Fremantle star Chris Tarrant and his interior designer wife Lauren have splashed out almost $10 million on two neighbouring houses in the blue chip Melbourne suburb of Toorak.
The couple paid $6.35 million and $3.57 million respectively for the properties on St Georges Road, one of Melbourne's most prestigious streets.
