LANCE Franklin is without doubt free agency's biggest success story, but has Shaun Higgins passed him as the best value-for-money free agent after his white-hot start to 2018?
Franklin could scarcely have done more to justify the $10 million, nine-year deal the Swans dangled to lure him away from Hawthorn at the end of 2013.
The spearhead has remained the game's most exhilarating player and added three All Australian selections and two Coleman Medals to a CV that has already established him as an all-time great.
That's the sort of return you hope for from someone on a $1 million-plus annual salary.
Higgins can't lay claim to such otherworldly output in his time at Arden Street.
But the former Western Bulldog can lay strong claim to being the competition's best 'dollar-for-dollar' free agent.
His performances over four years with North have been outstanding, particularly over the past season and a half when he has established himself as the Roos' most damaging midfielder and, according to premiership coach Paul Roos, one of the competition's top-10 players.
Snaring Higgins has been an unqualified success for the Kangaroos, but the acquisition looks even better when you consider his initial deal was worth about $400,000 a season. His performances have been worthy of someone on double that salary.
Has any other free agent given his new club such outstanding value?
Eddie Betts stands out as Higgins' main challenger on this front.
After crossing to Adelaide ahead of the 2014 season, Betts has emerged as the competition's most potent small forward.
He has led the Crows' goalkicking every year since – this in a team that includes prolific spearheads Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins – while he's had a mortgage on a forward-pocket spot in the All Australian team for the past three seasons.
Having joined Adelaide on an initial contract worth about $550,000 a season, Betts gets our nod as free agency's best value-for-money player.
BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY FREE AGENTS
1. Eddie Betts: Adelaide via Carlton, no compensation*
2014-current: 102 games and 260 goals
What more do we have to say? A very good player over 184 games at Carlton, Betts has become a superstar at Adelaide.
*Carlton would likely have received second-round pick but relinquished its right to compensation after acquiring Dale Thomas as a free agent from Collingwood
Betts has gone to another level at the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos 
2. Shaun Higgins: North Melbourne via Western Bulldogs, second-round compensation pick
2015-current: 64 games and 73 goals
No one doubted Higgins' talent when he was at the Western Bulldogs, but he has elevated his game to elite levels at Arden St while initially on middle-of-the-road money.
3. Lance Franklin: Sydney via Hawthorn, first-round pick
2014-current: 97 games and 305 goals
Halfway through his nine-year deal, 'Buddy' has already justified the Swans' jaw-dropping investment in him. Even if his form drops off in coming years or he retires early – in which case the Swans will still have to include his remaining wages in its salary cap – Sydney won't regret recruiting him for a second.
4. Brendon Goddard: Essendon via St Kilda, first-round pick
2013-current: 118 games and 56 goals
The first big-name player to utilise free agency joined Essendon on a deal worth about $750,000 a season, but his consistently strong output and durability has justified the Bombers' faith. Has finished in the top five of Essendon's best and fairest award in his each of his five completed seasons at Tullamarine, including his victory in 2013, and was a galvanising figure during the club's supplements saga.
'BJ' made the big move from the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos
5. Jarrad Waite: North Melbourne via Carlton, no compensation
2015-current: 56 games and 115 goals
The former Blue has had his problems with injury since joining North Melbourne as a 31-year-old in the 2014 free agency period, but remains a potent offensive force when fit and costs the Roos a relatively modest veteran's wage. At 35, his form remains so strong he could play on next year.
6. Nick Dal Santo: North Melbourne via St Kilda, second-round pick
2014-16: 62 games
Dal Santo's midfield polish and experience helped lift North to preliminary finals appearances in 2014 and 2015, more than justifying his salary of about $450,000 a season.
7. James Frawley: Hawthorn via Melbourne, first-round pick
2015-current: 57 games
Endured a rocky start to his time at Waverley but shut down star spearheads Taylor Walker, Matthew Pavlich and Josh Kennedy in the 2015 finals series to help the Hawks claim their third consecutive premiership. Has taken over as Hawthorn's No.1 key defender since Brian Lake's retirement at the end of 2015.
8. Matthew Suckling: Western Bulldogs via Hawthorn, second-round pick
2016-current: 50 games and 21 goals
Unlucky to miss the Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership in 2016, but bounced back to finish seventh in the club's best and fairest award last season. Has played every game to date in 2018, while his booming left foot, when on song, remains one of the game's most potent weapons
Suckling missed out on another flag with the Dogs. Picture: AFL Photos
9. Danyle Pearce: Fremantle via Port Adelaide, second-round pick
2012-current: 104 games and 51 goals
A regular senior player for the Dockers over his first four seasons at the club, including the finals campaigns of 2013-15, when his outside run complemented the inside grunt of Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Michael Barlow.
10. Matt White: Port Adelaide via Richmond, no compensation
2014-17: 48 games and 44 goals
The wingman gave Port line-breaking pace and regular goals at a bargain price over his first two seasons at Alberton before injury derailed his career. A pivotal player in the Power's run to a preliminary final in 2014, when he kicked 25 goals.
