As a superstar from Victoria, Zac Bailey, the star of the Brisbane Lions, plays an important role. As he approaches the last year of his deal, which runs until 2026, a number of non-South Australian based AFL clubs are said to be significantly interested in him. Bailey arguably is one of the game’s true elite talents. While his leaving Brisbane is not yet a done deal, it might just develop into the most important narrative in the league.
The Lions’ newly appointed list manager, Dom Ambrogio, is giving nothing away on those discussions and where things are at with Bailey. That pressure is rapidly increasing as several other teams have already made clear their intent to compete for his services. Among them, Essendon has allegedly done enough work to have a big $1.3 million over six years contract ready to lure the star midfielder.
Aside from Essendon, Collingwood and Port Adelaide have reportedly expressed interest in Bailey. Collingwood is very high on their long-term midfield prospects. They view Bailey as a key component of that approach. At the same time, Adelaide has expressed their interest, adding another layer of complexity to Bailey’s possible decision-making process.
Zac Bailey has an uphill battle ahead of him. He heads a strong class of players, including Zak Butters and Ben King, who are set to hit free agency at the end of next season. Despite his uncertain future, his impact could ignite some drastic changes within the league. This is doubly great news for the Brisbane Lions, who recently signed rich, long-term extensions for stars Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Cam Rayner, and Josh Dunkley. In other aspects, the Lions have augmented their roster with this season’s next-gen recruits, Oscar Allen and Sam Draper.
Even before the 2026 season kicks off, speculation about what’s next for Bailey will be all over the newsprint. Chad Cornes, a highly regarded development coach in AFL circles, acknowledged Bailey’s likely move when we spoke recently.
“If you had to make a prediction, I think he goes (to another club) this time next year.” – Chad Cornes
Bailey’s remarkable play on the field has well earned his status as one of the most elite players in the league. Every big club in Europe is hot on his tail. His ultimate decision will have enormous implications for the trajectory of his career and the competitive balance of the AFL.
