The Brisbane Lions are pulling out all the stops to retain in-demand free agent Zac Bailey, but if he does depart for Adelaide, they have a strategic backup plan involving the Curtin brothers.
Bailey's future uncertain
Zac Bailey, a midfielder-forward, has attracted a lucrative offer from the Adelaide Crows. As a restricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of this year, Brisbane has the option to match any deal, forcing a trade. The two-time reigning premiers are determined to keep him, but they are also preparing a potential trade scenario that could work in their favor.
7NEWS Melbourne's chief footy reporter Mitch Cleary revealed on The Agenda Setters that the Lions are eyeing Adelaide's Dan Curtin as part of a trade for Bailey. Curtin finished second in the Rising Star award to Murphy Reid last year, and his brother Cody debuted for the Lions last weekend.
Brotherly reunion on the cards
Cleary shared a theory he had heard during the week: "Cody Curtin debuted on the weekend for Brisbane, he's contracted until 2027, he's about to put pen to paper on a deal 'til 2029. His brother at the Crows, Dan, is also signed until 2029. This year, Brisbane have a restricted free agent in Zac Bailey, who's got keen interest from the Crows. If he does choose to go there, the Lions can match and force a trade. I'm watching to see if the Lions go, 'Let's see if we can partner Cody with his brother Dan and ask for Dan as part of a trade' to get him to the Lions. I think it's something that could well be in the works later in the year."
This potential trade would create an interesting dynamic between the two clubs, which failed to reach an agreement for Callum Ah Chee last year, forcing the Lions premiership forward into the pre-season draft.
Crows young gun rewarded
Meanwhile, another young Adelaide player, Brayden Cook, may have significantly boosted his contract value with a single kick. Cook has finally established himself as a regular in Matthew Nicks's side, and he repaid his coach last Friday night with the winning goal against crosstown rivals Port Adelaide in a thrilling Showdown.
Stream The Agenda Setters on-demand anytime at 7plus. That one kick could have added around $200,000 to his next contract, according to Tom Morris.
"Braden Cook was the hero in the Showdown on Friday night. He kicked an important goal, just as he did a couple of years ago as well," Morris said on The Agenda Setters. "Finally, someone from the 2020 draft is showing us something — (he was) pick 25. He's out of contract and I understand that conversations between his management and the Crows will begin very soon on a new deal."
Nick Riewoldt asked how much the kick was worth: "Lived out a boyhood dream by kicking that goal. Crows fan as a kid. How much is that goal worth to him contractually?" Morris replied: "I reckon that's a $200,000 goal."
