'I love this club': Lions star opens up on free agency call - AFL
As he weighs up big offers from both Adelaide clubs, Zac Bailey shares his love for Brisbane and the Lions
www.afl.com.auHere’s the latest on Zac Bailey as of May 2026:
- Zac Bailey is generating strong free-agent interest in 2026, with reports that Adelaide and Port Adelaide have been among the clubs pursuing him, while he has publicly expressed love for Brisbane and the Lions. This indicates a tense negotiation landscape around contract length and price, with a long-term Brisbane stay potentially in play if the club matches rival bids.[2]
- In 2025, Bailey briefly stepped back from AFL action due to personal reasons but returned to form later that season, and public coverage noted his solid goal output and competitive performances for Brisbane. This context helps explain why his value and market interest surged in 2026 as teams weighed long-term deals.[1]
- Bailey remains a high-impact forward when healthy, with ongoing discussion about his role and fit within Brisbane’s system, including commentary on his dancing feet and elite kicking ability that contributed to his rising stock earlier in his career. This helps explain why multiple clubs would consider a long-term investment in him.[7]
Key takeaways:
- 2026 interest from multiple clubs, especially Adelaide and Port Adelaide, with significant contract offers reportedly on the table.[2]
- Bailey’s stated preference is to stay with Brisbane if possible, though market dynamics and family considerations are shaping decisions.[2]
- Past form shows he can be a prolific contributor when fit, reinforcing why he’s a top free-agent target.[1][7]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent articles and summarize each club’s offer details, or create a quick timeline of Bailey’s contract talks and on-field performances.