Zac Bailey’s Journey with the Brisbane Lions
Zac Bailey, a talented midfielder-forward for the Brisbane Lions, has made a name for himself in the AFL. From the moment he joined the club as a draftee, he has achieved numerous milestones. Bailey has been part of two consecutive premiership wins, played an impressive 173 games, and last season, he earned his first All-Australian blazer. Now, as he approaches free agency, he is considering his next move.
Bailey, who is 26 years old, is currently evaluating his options. He has expressed a desire to stay with the Lions, but he is also thinking about returning to his family in South Australia. “Of course, I want to stay (at the Lions),” Bailey told AFL Media. “I love this club.”
When it comes to contract negotiations, there are several factors that need to be considered. “I’m at that stage at the moment, just weighing things up. I won’t rush into anything, but I’m loving my time at the club so far,” he added. For Bailey, happiness is a top priority. “Coming into the club, especially at the Lions, it’s such a good culture. You want to be able to go into work and enjoy every day and enjoy the work that you do. That’s probably top of the list for me.”
Family is another important factor in his decision-making process. “There’s stuff around family and being close to them. There’s just a lot of factors to weigh up.” Although he grew up in Darwin in the Northern Territory, Bailey moved to Adelaide at the age of 15 to attend boarding school. He has strong ties to South Australia, and while he considers NT his home, Brisbane has become his second home.
The Offer from Adelaide and Brisbane
It has been reported that Bailey has received a significant offer from Adelaide, which includes a $10 million seven-year deal. Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions have offered a six-year contract, albeit for less money. Port Adelaide is also showing interest in securing Bailey’s services.
The Lions have a history of holding firm on their star players, but coach Chris Fagan would prefer to keep Bailey at the club. “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 on SEN last month.
However, Fagan acknowledges that players are motivated by different things. “Sometimes the offers are too good to refuse. We’ll just see what happens,” he added.
Bailey’s Performance and Career Stats
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Bailey has continued to perform well in the 2026 season. He has averaged 20 disposals and two goals per game across seven matches. His consistent performance has not gone unnoticed.
Since being selected with pick 15 in the 2017 National Draft, Bailey has kicked 199 goals in 173 games. His journey with the Brisbane Lions has been marked by dedication, hard work, and a passion for the game.
As he weighs his options, Bailey remains focused on his current role with the team. Whether he stays or moves on, his contributions to the Lions have been invaluable. Fans will be watching closely as the final decision unfolds.
