The protracted dispute between the AFL and the AFL Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement has been resolved after the AFL backed down on a mid-term review of the deal.
The five-year $1.144 billion deal remains as initially determined a few months back, but the AFLPA has won a concession that a review will be held in 2014, with the term in the final two years to be revised should AFL revenue projections change.
Under the agreement, Total Player Payments, the AFL's salary cap, will rise seven percent in 2012, then 4, 5.4, 3 and 3 percent in subsequent years.
By the end of the deal in 2016, an average players wage will rise to nearly $300,000, while rookie wages will rise to $54,000 plus match payments, up from $35,000.
The AFLPA also achieved several other industrial conditions, including a guarantee that clubs will pay at least 95 percent of the salary cap, the implementation of fixed days off during the season and a leave provision of six continuous weeks each year.
The other key tenant sees the establishment of a $90 million retirement scheme, which will see players receive an annual provision of $20,000 a year after their career is finished.
The deal was announced at the AFLPA's conference in Lorne, with AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou hailing it as a significant moment in the game's history.
"These arrangements are about rewarding the players for their efforts, as the stars of the game, while balancing the interests of the whole of our sport - the clubs, the continued growth of the game, the next generation of players via our development programs and, above all, the fans who love our game," Demetriou said.
"This deal deservedly rewards players as the best athletes in Australia who are part of the most popular spectator-sport in the country, but also enables the future growth of the game."
"Over the next five years we will provide a future fund for players, a future fund for clubs, the future fund for the AFL and keep the game affordable for fans."
"As part of this next CBA deal, the AFL is able to provide ongoing support for the long-term health of our 18 clubs, while continuing to invest in the growth of the game at grassroots levels and in its development throughout Australia."
"In announcing this Collective Bargaining Agreement, the AFL now has the ability to further build our position as the leading sport in this country."
AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis was delighted to have brought negotiations to a close and having achieved the mid-point review.
"This is a historic agreement from the Players' Association's point of view," Finnis said.
"There's real benefits here which we think will be a wonderful legacy for the game and also reflect the significant contribution that the players make to the game's success."
"It's a total career package which looks after the youngest players coming into the game, through to players many years after they've left."
"This CBA ensures that AFL is the career choice for athletes in Australia and we thank our members for their unity and support during this process."
The changes in the TPP are as follows:
2011 - $8.21 million per club (final year of current agreement)
2012 - $8.787 million per club (7 percent increase)
2013 - $9.139 million per club (5 percent increase)
2014 - $9.632 million per club (5.4 percent increase)
2015 - $9.92 million per club (3 percent increase)
2016 - $10.2 million per club (3 percent increase)