Magpies Launch Bold Play for Lions Premiership Star
Collingwood has made a significant move in the AFL player market, approaching Brisbane Lions dual-premiership star Zac Bailey as he enters the final year of his contract with the Queensland club. The bold play signals the Magpies' determination to strengthen their midfield options for the long term.
Bailey finds himself at the centre of what's shaping up as one of the biggest stories of the 2026 season, headlining a star-studded group of players set to reach free agency alongside Port Adelaide's Zak Butters and Gold Coast's Ben King.
Growing Interest in Talented Midfielder-Forward
The Magpies aren't alone in their pursuit of the 26-year-old dynamo. Essendon has already prepared what's being described as a 'godfather offer' worth six years and approximately $1.3 million to lure Bailey away from Brisbane.
Both Port Adelaide and Adelaide have also registered formal interest in the Victorian-born player, setting up a potential bidding war for one of the competition's most damaging midfielder-forwards.
Collingwood's approach comes after unsuccessful attempts to secure North Melbourne's Jy Simpkin and Gold Coast's Bailey Humphrey, demonstrating their clear focus on securing long-term midfield solutions.
Salary Cap Pressure Mounts for Brisbane
The back-to-back reigning premiers face significant challenges in retaining their elite talent, having already committed to lucrative long-term deals with stars including Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Cam Rayner, and Josh Dunkley.
Brisbane's list manager Dom Ambrogio faces the difficult task of balancing the salary cap while also planning for the future. The departure of Joe Daniher at the end of last season provided some financial breathing room, but the Lions must now find money to secure emerging talents Logan Morris and Kai Lohmann, who come out of contract at the end of 2027.
The club has already been forced to say goodbye to premiership players Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee, both of whom played crucial roles in Brisbane's consecutive flag victories.
Bailey's potential departure would represent a massive blow to the Lions, though not on the same scale as if Zak Butters were to leave Port Adelaide. Butters, considered among the game's elite handful of players, has strong links to the Western Bulldogs, the team he supported as a child.
Former Power assistant coach Chad Cornes recently expressed his belief that Butters is likely to return to Victoria, telling SEN radio: "I love 'Buttsy', he's such a great guy. If you had to make a prediction, I think he goes this time next year."
As for Bailey, his extraordinary performance in this year's grand final against Geelong, where he recorded nine scoring shots, underlined his value to the Lions and explains why multiple clubs are prepared to make substantial offers for his services.
