Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2026 - Part 2

[adelaidecrows]

https://www.zerohanger.com/crows-coach-confirms-interest-in-adding-midfield-talent-176638/

The Lions gun opened up on his free agency decision saying: "Of course, I want to stay (at the Lions)," Bailey told AFL Media. "I love this club.

"When it comes to contract years, there are a lot of factors you have to weigh up. I'm at that stage at the moment, just weighing things up. I won't rush into anything, but I'm loving my time at the club so far.

"I've been all over the place, but I love it up in Brisbane. It's hard to say, I think NT will always be home. But (Brisbane) is my second home now."

Nothing we didn’t already know. But Bailey being explicit about what he wants.

Its a pretty generic statement.

 

[119others]

It makes no sense - I hate the Hawks as much as the next guy, but the reigning back-to-back premiers who have already prompted questions about the northern academy concessions (not to mention some pretty handy father sons of their own), should not now be entitled to another clubs high pedigree father son also, simply because Queensland is a nice retirement location.

Same as Buddies boy, Bam Franklin, being eligible for the Suns in 17 years as he has retired to the GC. Complete and utter joke.

Not sure how anyone is justifying this situation re Hodges son to Lions. SEQ fastest growing region in the last 30 years and with increasing WFH/technology etc it's likely to continue.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Its a pretty generic statement.

The reality is it will come down to how much Brisbane are willing to pay him and how much money he's willing to leave on the table to stay in Brisbane.

After that it's a case of deciding between the offers which club he wants to go to (and reports seem to indicate the Crows have offered the most at the moment).

Anything else is just noise.

 

[adelaidecrows]

The reality is it will come down to how much Brisbane are willing to pay him and how much money he's willing to leave on the table to stay in Brisbane.

After that it's a case of deciding between the offers which club he wants to go to (and reports seem to indicate the Crows have offered the most at the moment).

Anything else is just noise.

Will be interesting to see how Fagan handles this. The longer he doesnt sign the odds of him leaving increase. Based on Fagan's track record its hard to believe he wont start making jabs. He kind of has an outdated look at how contracts work and a modern professional sport.

 

[Cromulant]

Will be interesting to see how Fagan handles this. The longer he doesnt sign the odds of him leaving increase. Based on Fagan's track record its hard to believe he wont start making jabs. He kind of has an outdated look at how contracts work and a modern professional sport.

Ehh hes a coach who's disappointed that one of his (many) stars doesnt want to stick around and win more flags.

I get it.

 

[Trigger13]

I’m confused. We have the upper hand if they do force a trade, right? Otherwise they wouldn’t have learnt a thing from the Ah Chee transaction.

 

[Cromulant]

I’m confused. We have the upper hand if they do force a trade, right? Otherwise they wouldn’t have learnt a thing from the Ah Chee transaction.

Probably not this time no.

They wont match though, they wont take the risk of us walking away and leaving them to pay more than they can afford.

 

[adelaidecrows]

I’m confused. We have the upper hand if they do force a trade, right? Otherwise they wouldn’t have learnt a thing from the Ah Chee transaction.

Well if Brisbane match then Bailey has made it clear he will stay. There is no upper hand in that scenario. The only way it does become a thing is Bailey does a big announcement about leaving post season and Brisbane still match, then its a clear signal he is leaving. However, for the contract we offer, the AFL world will turn on us if we dont match it with some decent picks.

 

[Cromulant]

Well if Brisbane match then Bailey has made it clear he will stay. There is no upper hand in that scenario. The only way it does become a thing is Bailey does a big announcement about leaving post season and Brisbane still match, then its a clear signal he is leaving. However, for the contract we offer, the AFL world will turn on us if we dont match it with some decent picks.

They wont have the ability to match, or it forces someone else out.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

I’m confused. We have the upper hand if they do force a trade, right? Otherwise they wouldn’t have learnt a thing from the Ah Chee transaction.

How are they forcing a trade? Bailey wants to stay if Brisbane pony up the money.

So if Brisbane match, Bailey just signs their offer.

 

[Mattrox]

Not if they match then we’ll trade. They can match knowing he’s leaving and take 2 first and a player I’m sure

If they don't facilitate a Dangerfield type match and trade we can just so No.

 

[Mattrox]

If he’s leaving he can go in the PSD then. After all, they know we aren’t ones to play around there.

Nope. Would have to sit out a year of footy because of a valid contract with Brisbane.

 

[adelaidecrows]

They wont have the ability to match, or it forces someone else out.

I would be surprised if Brisbane's list management team and board isnt having indepth strategy meetings about dealing with raids on their players. Do they just let them go or do they start culling the older guys to keep the young guys? As I said, they have another thing coming if they dont think the big vic clubs wont come hard at the ashcrofts especially when Will was crying over not being able to play for the big v. Thats a clear signal where his attachment lies.

 

[ams4crows]

I can't believe we are over a decade into free agency and there are literal footy experts who get paid to express their opinion and still do not understand how free agency works, when it comes to restricted v unrestricted or what it means to match a bid.

Unbelievable

 

[Mattrox]

OK so from the reports (thanks everyone) Darcy Wilson seems to have strengths in run and carry, speed etc... and struggles a little with kicking skills.

Which makes me wonder. Are our coaching and recruiting team aligned?

We have a stop, slow it down game style. We favour short kicking in the back half and then long to a contest in the forward half. We do not run and carry the ball. We do not give handballs. We don't looks for handball receives.

All of which looks to me like Wilson would be the exact wrong player for our game plan.

Maybe our recruiting team are planning for post Nicks?

Recruiting team has to have a long term view.

I think we had a short term view with Ayres and Pyke... Well Ayres didn't believe in drafting or playing anyone under 25.... But I feel Pyke had a priority for certain player types.


Ultimately the list manager manages the list for current needs (trading and FA) and the future.

Undue influence from the coach is bad. The coach's priority of having a job now is a conflict with the best interest of a club into the future.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

No one is suggesting he’s getting traded except for the journo

Except a stupid journalist who is cluless that there will be no need for the Crows to trade for Bailey if he selects us a free agent.

People need to stop giving these morons oxygen.

No way is AFC going to trade Curtin who is contracted to 2029.

 

[Cromulant]

I would be surprised if Brisbane's list management team and board isnt having indepth strategy meetings about dealing with raids on their players. Do they just let them go or do they start culling the older guys to keep the young guys? As I said, they have another thing coming if they dont think the big vic clubs wont come hard at the ashcrofts especially when Will was crying over not being able to play for the big v. Thats a clear signal where his attachment lies.

I dont see Will going back to Victoria any time soon.

Hes the exact reason they wont match a bid for Bailey.

 

[Mattrox]

Not sure itll work?
Surely the manager knows Bailey gets his money by going to us or Brisbane matching.
Not by signing this contract now.

His manager would know what our offer is and say he'll sign now if you match. No point destabilising the club with end of year mumblings if you really intend to stay.

 

[adelaidecrows]

I dont see Will going back to Victoria any time soon.

Hes the exact reason they wont match a bid for Bailey.

Thats my point. Instead of complaining about why the salary cap is a thing, they have to strategise not hoard talent. To me their complaints come straight out of the 'woe is us' handbook because they lack professionalism in this area. If they want the Ashcrofts and Bailey to remain etc then they need to figure out ways to make that happen. That may mean trading up other players to free up salary cap space.

 

[Cromulant]

Thats my point. Instead of complaining about why the salary cap is a thing, they have to strategise not hoard talent. To me their complaints come straight out of the 'woe is us' handbook because they lack professionalism in this area. If they want the Ashcrofts and Bailey to remain etc then they need to figure out ways to make that happen. That may mean trading up other players to free up salary cap space.

I dont think theyre doing anything different to any other club.

No club wants to lose their guns, they just happen to have more of them than anyone else. We'd complain if someone came after Rankine or Rachele too.

Guys like Lester, McCarthy, Fort, even Cameron are all expendable. Neale probably wont be there next season either.

 

[Velvet George]

Except a stupid journalist who is cluless that there will be no need for the Crows to trade for Bailey if he selects us a free agent.

People need to stop giving these morons oxygen.

No way is AFC going to trade Curtin who is contracted to 2029.

Only saw a headline but did Bickley agree with it?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Only saw a headline but did Bickley agree with it?

Haven't heard what he said, only comments in this thread that he did. He's not the smartest cookie.

Honesty never listen to Bickley. Didn't even realise he is still in the media. Obviously something that I don’t watch.

 

[Cromulant]

Only saw a headline but did Bickley agree with it?

He said he'd do the trade.

 

[Apsaalooke]

However, for the contract we offer, the AFL world will turn on us if we dont match it with some decent picks.

Why would the “AFL world” turn on us, and why would we care?

 

[119others]

Thats my point. Instead of complaining about why the salary cap is a thing, they have to strategise not hoard talent. To me their complaints come straight out of the 'woe is us' handbook because they lack professionalism in this area. If they want the Ashcrofts and Bailey to remain etc then they need to figure out ways to make that happen. That may mean trading up other players to free up salary cap space.

mate pretty harsh. look at their squad inc the age demographic of the GF team, with 5-6 injuries then add Annable, Allen and Draper. Best squad mgt in the league along with Freo imo. Not sure the lack professionalism in any way here

I doubt they need to exactly match the 10m over 7, but if they can get it to 8m ish over 6-7 years suddenly its 'only' 1m after tax difference which if he loves the club and has 3 flags may see him stay on lesser - but still huge - money