AFL BREAKING NEWS: The Brisbane Lions are doing everything they can to keep their highly sought-after free agent Zac Bailey. But if they lose him to Adelaide, who have made an attractive offer for the offensive midfielder, the Lions… will target Adelaide’s young talent Dan Curtin as part of a swap deal for Bailey. Curtin finished second in last year’s Rising Star award behind Murphy Reid, and his younger brother, Cody, made his debut for the Lions last weekend.
The Brisbane Lions are pulling out all stops to retain one of their most dynamic and versatile talents as the 2026 AFL free agency period looms large. Zac Bailey, the 26-year-old midfielder-forward who has become a cornerstone of the club’s recent success, finds himself at the centre of intense speculation. With Adelaide reportedly tabling a massive seven-year deal worth around $10 million, the Lions have responded with their own six-year offer and made it clear they are prepared to match any rival bid, forcing a trade if necessary.
Bailey himself has publicly declared his deep affection for the club while acknowledging the personal factors pulling him in different directions.
Speaking candidly in early May, Bailey emphasised his loyalty. “Of course, I want to stay. I love this club,” he said. He described Brisbane as his “second home” after nine years based there, following a childhood in Darwin and three years of boarding school in Adelaide. Yet he admitted the decision involves more than just football. “When it comes to contract years, there are a lot of factors you have to weigh up… Firstly, it’s about just being happy. 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… Then there’s stuff around family and being close to them.” Bailey has stressed he will not rush the call and is blocking out the media noise to focus on his on-field performance, where he continues to excel in a hybrid inside-midfield and forward role under coach Chris Fagan.
Bailey’s journey to this pivotal moment has been remarkable. Drafted by Brisbane, he has played in two premiership sides, earned All-Australian selection last year, and established himself as one of the competition’s most exciting players. Capable of bursting from the midfield, hitting targets inside 50, or even drifting back when required, he has added polish to his game this season, learning from midfield coach Cam Bruce. His recent output, including a four-goal haul against Essendon, underscores why he is viewed as a game-changer. At just 26, he is entering his prime, making the free-agency stakes exceptionally high for all parties.
Adelaide’s interest is no surprise. The Crows see Bailey as the ideal fit for their midfield engine room and a player who could accelerate their push toward sustained contention. His South Australian schooling and family ties give the move an emotional pull, while his proven big-game pedigree would complement their developing list. Club legend Mark Bickley has openly praised Bailey as “exactly the type of player you want,” noting that if a deal reaches the point where Brisbane matches and forces compensation, Adelaide would seriously consider parting with assets to land him.
The Crows’ seven-year proposal represents a significant financial commitment, reflecting how highly they rate the 26-year-old’s leadership qualities and skill set.
Should Bailey ultimately choose Adelaide, the Lions are already mapping out a contingency that could turn potential loss into strategic gain. According to 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary, Brisbane has quietly identified Adelaide’s highly rated young defender Dan Curtin as a prime target in any resulting trade. “I had a theory put to me through the week that I want to unveil here… It revolves around two brothers at the Lions and the Crows,” Cleary revealed on The Agenda Setters.
“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.”
Dan Curtin has rapidly emerged as one of the AFL’s brightest young prospects. Selected in the top 10 of his draft, the athletic defender finished a clear second in the 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star award with 35 votes, trailing only Fremantle’s Murphy Reid on 48. His combination of speed, intercepting ability, and composure under pressure has drawn comparisons to elite modern defenders, earning him the “unicorn” tag within Adelaide circles.
Still only in his early years at the elite level, Curtin is contracted until the end of 2029, giving Adelaide significant leverage but also making him a valuable trade chip if the club decides Bailey’s immediate impact outweighs retaining their rising star.
The family dimension adds compelling narrative weight to any potential swap. Curtin’s younger brother, Cody, was taken by Brisbane with pick 43 in the 2025 national draft from Western Australia. Cody has already made his AFL debut for the Lions in recent weeks and, fresh off that milestone, has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until the end of 2029. Reuniting the Curtin brothers at Springfield would create an intriguing long-term partnership and give Brisbane a ready-made defensive solution while softening the blow of losing Bailey’s experience and versatility.
For the Lions, the scenario represents classic high-stakes list management. Retaining Bailey would preserve continuity in a squad that has tasted recent premiership success and remains a genuine contender. Yet acquiring a player of Curtin’s pedigree and potential at a relatively young age could future-proof their backline and add another piece to an already talented group featuring players like Lachie Neale and the emerging Levi Ashcroft. Brisbane’s willingness to match offers and force trades has long been a hallmark of their aggressive retention strategy, and this situation appears no different.
Adelaide, meanwhile, faces a classic dilemma between immediate star power and long-term list building. Landing Bailey would instantly strengthen their engine room and provide a ready-made leader for a group still developing its identity. However, surrendering Curtin would mean losing a cornerstone defender who many expect to become a future All-Australian and possibly club captain. The Crows’ recent history of bold list moves suggests they are not afraid of such calculations if it accelerates their timeline.
The broader 2026 off-season landscape only heightens the drama. With a limited number of elite restricted free agents available, Bailey sits alongside names like Zak Butters and Ben King as the most sought-after talents. Clubs across the competition are already positioning themselves, and any resolution involving Brisbane and Adelaide could trigger a cascade of further negotiations. Bailey’s decision will reverberate well beyond the two clubs directly involved, influencing draft strategies, salary-cap management, and on-field balance for years to come.
As the season progresses and contract talks intensify, all eyes remain on Bailey’s form and public comments. He continues to insist his sole focus is performing week to week, letting the football do the talking. Whether he ultimately stays in Brisbane’s famous maroon or heads south to the Crows, the ripple effects promise to shape the AFL landscape deep into the next decade. For now, the Lions are doing everything possible to keep their star at home, while quietly preparing a Plan B that could see them gain a future star in return.
The coming months will reveal whether Bailey’s heart stays in Queensland or follows the pull of family and a new challenge in South Australia.