Lions permit free agent star to explore options

Free agency talks have commenced before a ball has been kicked, with Zac Bailey’s contract decision set to dominate headlines across 2026.

The 2025 All-Australian and two-time Premiership Lion is set for contract expiry at the end of the ’26 campaign, and with numerous clubs reporting a keen interest in acquiring his services, the 26-year-old is set to face a major career decision.

A Darwin native who was drafted out of South Australia, Bailey has reportedly garnered the attention of a glut of Victorian sides, with The Age reporting on Tuesday that Essendon leads a growing list of clubs preparing a mega offer for the superstar.

With that in mind, Brisbane’s GM of Football Danny Daly is prepared for Bailey and his management to commence their exploration sooner rather than later.

“I think there will be 17 clubs that will be interested in Zac,” Daly told SEN Whateley.

“We are aware that that is the market that we are in - Zac’s manager wouldn’t be doing his due diligence if he wasn’t trying to get the best for Zac out there.

“Things will play out how they play out. We understand that this might be a process that will take a little bit of time, but we are not going to force any issue with Zac or his manager group.

“We are in good discussions with him, he’s had a good pre-season and we love Zac, he has had an unbelievable influence on our journey and our premierships.

“We are hopeful that he stays at our football club, but we are appreciative that he needs to go out and see what else is around.”

Although Bailey is free to explore his options over the season, Brisbane has tabled an offer for the superstar in attempt to maintain his services beyond this year.

“We’ve got an offer on the table to Zac; we’ve been in discussion with his management group (Mac's Sports), who does a great job for him,” Daly confirmed.

“That’s there, but we also understand that that might sit there for a while until his management is ready to come back and discuss it with us.

“We put the offer on the table, and we let Zac get to work to do what he needs to do for our football club. We will just work through what happens for the rest of the year.”

While the offer is there for Bailey, the club understands that it may take some time before a decision is made, with Daly earmarking the club’s mid-season break as an ideal conclusion to discussions.

“We are under no illusions that it will probably be around the mid-season break before we ramp up the talks,” he said.

“I’m hoping it’s before that and they come to us and say he’s staying, but we are under no illusions that it might draw out for a little bit of time and get towards somewhere near the bye.”

Bailey is set to share the stage with the likes of Zak Butters, Sam Walsh and Ben King as they face major contract decisions over the course of 2026.