Brisbane Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio has revealed the club has made it a priority to sit down with Zac Bailey’s management this off-season and nut out a contract extension. Bailey’s management have revealed there’s been interest from “almost every club” in the premiership-winning half-forward, who comes off contract next season.
Leading reporter Cal Twomey revealed last month that Essendon are coming hardest to try and lure Bailey away from Brisbane. The Bombers are said to be preparing a “mega offer” for Bailey worth a reported $1.3 million per year across six or more seasons.
Dom Ambrogio (R) and the Brisbane Lions are desperate to extend Zac Bailey (L). Image: Getty
Bailey kicked three goals in the grand final victory over Geelong, although it could have been one of the all-time performances in a decider if he converted more of his six behinds. The 26-year-old was born in Darwin but went to school in Adelaide and was selected out of Norwood in the SANFL in the 2017 Draft.
“Absolute priority for us is to sign and extend Zac Bailey. There is no question about that,” Ambrogio said on AFL Trade Radio on Friday. “We have had some discussions, (but) we did agree that the best time for these discussions would be in the off-season.
“That’s what we’ve traditionally done (with Zac for) the last two extensions he’s done. We’ll get through the trade period and that will be job number one to sit down with the guys from Mac’s Sports.”
Zac Bailey kicked three goals in the AFL grand final. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Zach Bailey drawing interest from ‘almost every club’
Tom McConville from Mac’s Sports Promotions said they’ve had calls from almost every club about the prospect of Bailey leaving Brisbane. “We haven’t had those chats yet. He has obviously just come off a flag and is in Japan at the moment and is enjoying a little bit of down time,” McConville said.
“We’ll have a conversation with him when he comes back and see what he wants to do. There is no doubt he’s had a career best year and I think he is going to be hot property next year as a free agent. We’ll work through that in due course.”
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The Crows and Power – both Adelaide clubs – are expected to try and lure Bailey back to South Australia after missing out on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. All the big-name Melbourne clubs will also come knocking.
“It will be a lifestyle and football decision, but there is also the financial component,” McConville said. “He wants to be winning games, playing well and getting the best out of himself. He is going to be looked after well.”
Lions and Crows ‘miles apart’ on Callum Ah Chee trade
Bailey kicked 42 goals in 26 games this season as the Lions won back-to-back flags. He finished eighth in the club’s Best and Fairest voting.
The premiers have already sent Brandon Starcevich to West Coast via a trade, which allowed them to get Oscar Allen as a restricted free agent in return. Callum Ah Chee has requested a trade to Adelaide, but the Crows and Lions are said to be “miles apart” on the terms of a deal. The Lions reportedly want the Crows’ 16th pick for their future first-round selection, but Adelaide are only willing to give up their future second-rounder.