Adelaide’s “aggressive” multimillion-dollar trade and free agency plans to lure Zac Bailey and more “starpower” have been revealed.
And the Crows are prepared to give up multiple draft picks to bolster their list for a premiership push.
Reports this week stated Brisbane is bracing for dual premiership star Bailey to depart for West Lakes at season’s end in what would be a massive coup for Matthew Nicks’ side.
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It’s believed Adelaide has offered Bailey, a restricted free agent, a mega seven-year, $10 million deal. That would trump Brisbane’s offer, which is reportedly a six-year deal worth around $6-$.6.5 million.
“Adelaide is daring to dream that right now Zac Bailey wants to play for them, as he pushes his free agency decision back … we know what that often means,” Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy.
“At this stage, Brisbane would have to significantly lift their offer for Zac Bailey for him to stay. They’ve already said that is their best possible offer they’ve put forward.
“You just think about Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele and Zac Bailey in that side next year.
“They’re a very good side right now, but they maybe lack a bit of starpower.
“That would be absolutely exciting.”
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But Adelaide’s not done there.
Ralph said new Crows list boss Jarryd Roughead is “getting really aggressive,” with interest in fellow Lions star and dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, Suns young gun Jed Walter and Melbourne free agent Tom Sparrow.
Though Port Adelaide “is probably ahead in the race” for South Australian-native Sparrow, as he weighs up his future in a career-best season as a pure midfielder.
Collingwood has also been strongly linked to Neale, who’s “very unlikely to play for a WA-based club,” according to Ralph.
The veteran midfielder has family ties to South Australia, while Neale’s kids are based in Western Australia with his wife Jules, after their split.
“His parents live in South Australia, he would have help with his kids, that is absolutely a live concern (for Brisbane) for him to play for Adelaide,” Ralph added.
“They are very keen on players that will add to them as unrestricted free agents, like Sparrow.”
As Adelaide sets out plans for a big trade splash, footy boss Adam Kelly confirmed the club’s first and second-round picks — both this year’s and next — are on the table.
“We have some capacity in our picks and Total Player Payments. If we have the opportunity to go after some high-end talent, we will very much pursue it,” he told Fox Footy.