The Lions might need to get a move on after more interest has come in for their premiership winning star.
The Brisbane Lions might need to act quickly to keep Zac Bailey at the club, with report emerging that Collingwood have approaching the half-forward about switching clubs. Bailey is widely considered one of the best emerging players in the game, and Essendon are reportedly willing to offer as much as $8 million to secure his services.
The 26-year-old was everywhere in the AFL grand final, even though his goal-kicking accuracy in the first quarter was well off the mark. But he finished with three goals against Geelong and proved his status as one of the game’s best. And the star is only getting better having finished the season with a career-high goal tally.
Although this hasn’t stopped speculation around Bailey’s future, with the star off contract at the end of next year. Bailey said during the AFL finals he was enjoying his time at the club and still had plenty of time to sort out his future.
Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio also revealed the club had made it a priority to sit down with Bailey’s management this off-season and nut out a contract extension. Despite this, there has been no shortage of clubs reportedly interested in Bailey. Leading reporter Cal Twomey revealed Essendon are coming hardest to try and lure Bailey away from Brisbane.
The Bombers are said to be preparing a “mega offer” for Bailey worth a reported $1.3 million per year across six or more seasons. And Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire claimed on Monday that Melbourne rivals Collingwood are also keen on Bailey having approached the player.
“The Pies aren’t alone – with Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Essendon also registering interest in the 26-year-old Lion,” McGuire wrote on social media. This could see Collingwood match Essendon’s offer, which is reported to be around $8 million. There appears to be a huge amount of interest in the premiership winner, who will be one of the most in-demand stars on the market if he doesn’t re-sign.
Brisbane Lions keen to re-sign Zac Bailey
Lions manager Danny Daly said back in September the club’s priority was to look after the existing Brisbane players coming off contract. This included Bailey who was a priority.
“Zac Bailey’s out (of contract) next year, so he’ll be one that we really need to focus on with his management group over the pre-season,” Daly said to SEN Radio. “We look at a needs basis and we’re always trying to make our list better. Whatever transpires moving forward will happen in terms of who we get in, and hopefully we get to keep the majority of our players.”
Lions list manager Ambrogio claimed the side were focusing on their finals preparations and were always planning on speaking to their star in the off-season. “Absolute priority for us is to sign and extend Zac Bailey. There is no question about that,” Ambrogio said on AFL Trade Radio. “We have had some discussions, (but) we did agree that the best time for these discussions would be in the off-season.
“That’s what we’ve traditionally done (with Zac for) the last two extensions he’s done. We’ll get through the trade period and that will be job number one to sit down with the guys from Mac’s Sports.”
After news of Collingwood’s interest was revealed on Monday – as well as that of other top clubs – fans implored the Lions to act quickly to lock him up long term. The back-to-back premierships have already signed Will and Levi Ashcroft to lucrative contract extensions.
