Bailey Humphrey, a promising 21-year-old footballer who plays for the Gold Coast Suns, has become the center of attention as multiple clubs express interest in acquiring him. Drafted with the sixth pick in 2022, Humphrey has mostly operated as a hybrid forward choice for the Suns. Even more interesting, perhaps, is the fact that he occasionally drops into midfield. Recent images have surfaced showing him walking alongside Melbourne coach Stephen King and Demons assistant Nathan Jones, intensifying speculation about his future.
Humphrey’s manager, Josh Jenkins of CAA, has been very adamant publicly that his client has never interviewed with any teams. None of that has diminished the interest from competing teams, though. This has unsurprisingly attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs including Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton and Hawthorn all rumoured to be looking to poach him. Jenkins emphasized that if he were in the position of Damien Hardwick, head coach of the Gold Coast Suns, he would ensure that Humphrey remains with the team.
“If I’m Damien Hardwick and Gold Coast, I would ring Bailey Humphrey right now and say, ‘You are free to meet with any clubs you want, but you are going nowhere’,” – Josh Jenkins
As a hybrid forward, Humphrey splits time in the midfield with his experienced teammates. He goes to battle with the likes of Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Touk Miller. This setup has heavily limited his opportunities to showcase his skills in the midfield. As a result, additional clubs have continued to express strong interest in him.
On Friday afternoon, Collingwood became the strong frontrunner in the battle to recruit Humphrey. Jenkins wanted to emphasize that even with this expanded and ambitious list of suitors for the Suns, Humphrey’s dedication to Phoenix is absolute.
“Join the queue; the queue can be 17-long — he ain’t going anywhere,” – Josh Jenkins
The sharks are still circling with speculation over Bailey Humphrey’s future. One thing is certain — he’s a rare player with enormous potential and value. His ability to adapt to various playing styles makes him an attractive prospect for clubs looking to bolster their rosters.
