Zac Bailey Weighs $10 Million Adelaide Offer

zac bailey says he wants to stay at the Brisbane Lions even as he weighs contract options ahead of free agency. The 26-year-old midfielder-forward is considering a reported $10 million, seven-year Adelaide offer, along with a six-year Brisbane deal on less money.

Bailey Stays Focused On Brisbane

“Of course, I want to stay (at the Lions),” Bailey said. “I love this club.” He said he is at the stage of weighing up contract years and will not rush into anything, with happiness, club culture and family all part of the decision.

That process matters because Bailey is not a fringe player looking for a final payday. He has won back-to-back premierships with Brisbane, played 173 games and earned his maiden All-Australian blazer last season. This year, he has averaged 20 disposals and two goals a game across seven matches.

Adelaide Interest Builds

The reported Adelaide pitch has changed the pressure around his next deal. Port Adelaide is also interested, while Brisbane has tried to keep him on a six-year contract of its own. Bailey has family in South Australia and moved to Adelaide at 15 to attend boarding school, so the rival case is tied to more than money alone.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan made clear last month that he would hate to watch Bailey leave. “He's a fantastic player. He started his career with us. He's developed with us. And we like to think he can play his whole career with us,” Fagan said.

Bailey’s Brisbane Resume

Bailey’s numbers explain why the Lions want a long-term answer. Taken with pick 15 in the 2017 National Draft, he has kicked 199 goals from 173 games and grown into a 181cm midfielder-forward who has become central to Brisbane’s attack.

He said Brisbane is now “my second home,” though he also said NT will always be home. That leaves his future in a narrow space: stay with the club that drafted him, or walk into free agency with a market that has already placed a seven-year deal on the table.