While fans are busy watching what happens on the field, some of the AFL’s biggest names have quietly been notching up some impressive wins of their own – in the property market.
From a $4.6 million award-winning Gold Coast home to almost 150 acres outside Geelong, here’s a look at some of the standout property moves from the AFL world over the past year – and what they can teach the rest of us about buying with purpose.
Tom Hawkins – Barrabool, Victoria
Retired Geelong champion Tom Hawkins and wife Emma have listed their spectacular farm at Barrabool, just outside Geelong, with a $4.985 million price guide.
Known as Strathmile, the property spans about 60 hectares – roughly 148 acres – of gently undulating farmland. At its heart is an architect-designed four-bedroom residence overlooking the surrounding countryside, complete with a 10-metre infinity pool.
But this isn’t simply a luxury country home. There are two guest studios, 13 paddocks, six dams, cattle and sheep facilities, substantial water storage, and machinery and hay sheds – the infrastructure of a genuine working farm. It’s a fitting property for Hawkins, whose post-football interests have increasingly extended into agriculture and agribusiness.
The Hawkins family purchased the property in 2016 and had previously offered it for sale in 2025. It’s now back on the market, with expressions of interest closing in October.
Price guide: $4.985m
Image source: Elders Real Estate
Touk Miller – Burleigh Waters, Queensland
Gold Coast Suns star Touk Miller didn’t just sell a house this year – he sold an HIA Home of the Year.
Miller was heavily involved in creating the four-bedroom Burleigh Waters residence, completed in 2023 and awarded that same year. It’s easy to see why: the contemporary coastal home combines concrete, timber and Japanese Shou Sugi Ban cladding, with curved architectural elements throughout, plus a sunken lounge, cinema, wine cellar and chef’s kitchen.
Outside, there’s an entertaining area with beer taps and a Gozney pizza oven, Mediterranean-inspired gardens, a fire pit and resort-style pool. The main bedroom suite even has its own coffee station, dressing room, sauna and skylit ensuite.
After initially passing in at auction, the property sold by private treaty in July 2026.
Sold: $4.6 million
Image source: Kollosche Real Estate
Travis Boak – Somerton Park, South Australia
After an extraordinary 19-season career at Port Adelaide, Travis Boak made another big move this year – his custom-built Somerton Park residence sold for $4.5 million.
Boak purchased the property in 2019 before rebuilding it into a substantial five-bedroom home close to the beach. It’s a genuine lifestyle property, with a swimming pool, multiple living areas, a home theatre, an outdoor kitchen, sauna and even garage space specifically designed for surfboards.
The property reportedly attracted huge interest before selling in January and settling shortly after. Boak has since returned to Victoria following the end of his playing career.
Sold: $4.5m
Image source: Ray White GlenelgÂ
Marcus Bontempelli – Kew, Victoria
The Bont also made a move this year. Marcus Bontempelli and wife Neila sold their Kew home after listing it with a $2.6m-$2.85m price guide.
The four-bedroom Californian bungalow combines the character you’d expect from a classic Kew home – timber floors, leadlight windows and picture rails – with a modern rear renovation. The open-plan kitchen and living zone flows onto an entertaining deck and landscaped north-west facing backyard, centred around a tiled swimming pool and spa.
Records indicate Bontempelli purchased the property for $2.265m in 2017, with the 2026 sale understood to be for more than $2.6m. Another solid result away from the footy field.
Sold: $2.6m+
Image source: Abercrombys Real Estate
Tom Liberatore – Footscray, Victoria
Bont wasn’t the only Bulldog selling this year. Teammate Tom Liberatore sold his period Footscray home for more than $1.35 million.
Libba had lived in the three-bedroom property with his family for about four years before listing it earlier this year with a $1.25m-$1.35m guide. The renovated period home combines its original character with modern family living, and – appropriately for a lifelong Bulldog – sits right in the heart of Footscray.
Even better: the eventual buyers were reportedly Bulldogs supporters.
Sold: $1.35m+
Image source: Jas Stephens Real Estate
And one we couldn’t leave out – Lance Franklin
Technically, this one falls just outside 2026, with the sale occurring in November 2025. But when you’re talking AFL players and incredible property, it’s hard to leave Buddy off the list.
Lance “Buddy” Franklin and wife Jesinta sold their spectacular Gold Coast hinterland property, Villa Casa, late last year. The Mediterranean-inspired Reedy Creek estate sits on approximately 4,500sqm and was designed by Reece Keil Design – and was previously crowned Gold Coast House of the Year.
Think soaring arches, rendered walls, beautiful stone finishes and resort-style indoor-outdoor living. Across the main residence and additional accommodation, there are seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, taking full advantage of the property’s elevated hinterland setting.
Buddy and Jesinta had purchased the home for $8.75 million in 2022. The eventual 2025 sale price wasn’t publicly disclosed, but the property had previously been marketed with expectations around the $12 million mark.
The reason for selling? The family was making its own version of a tree change – moving towards acreage and a more rural lifestyle.
Image source: Whitefox
So, are AFL players actually good property investors?
That’s probably drawing a slightly long bow.
These are high-income professional athletes buying very different properties in very different markets – and a headline sale price doesn’t tell us what was spent on renovations, construction, stamp duty, interest, holding costs or selling costs.
But there is something interesting in the choices. A lot of these aren’t cookie-cutter investment properties. They’re homes built around lifestyle.
- Boak built around his love of the beach and surfing.
- Miller created a highly personalised coastal home.
- Hawkins went in the opposite direction altogether – acreage, farming and country life.
- Buddy and Jesinta are reportedly doing much the same with their move towards a farm.
It’s a reminder that property isn’t always purely about maximising financial return. For most Australians, a home is simultaneously an asset, a lifestyle decision and one of the biggest financial commitments we’ll ever make.
The best property decision isn’t necessarily the house that goes up the most. It’s the one that fits your life and fits your finances.
And when the two work together, that’s a pretty good result.
Whatever stage of the property journey you’re at – buying your first home, upgrading, or building a lifestyle property of your own – getting the finance side right is what makes those big decisions possible. If you’d like to talk through your options, get in touch with the team at Entourage.