Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2026 - Part 2

[pjcrows]

We need to offer this sort of deal to lure this sort of player. We're treading water otherwise.

Go for it.

 

[Daniel6]

Who’s saying anything about an argument lol

Anyway, carry on

“that one shouldn’t ever be challenged on their opinions”

Yeah, because that’s a word that leads to a peaceful conversation or discussion.

That’s ok, I will carry on.

 

[Crom1995]

Im shocked his brother still plays footy with his dodgy knees.

Bloke would've been a star too.

 

[Velvet George]

We need to offer this sort of deal to lure this sort of player. We're treading water otherwise.

Go for it.

Yep, it’s not like we are going to miss out on other players wanting to come here.

Bailey is a proven big game finals player, you pay him, drop some other average players on reasonable money like Jones and draft cheaper kids.

 

[Crow till I die]

We need to offer this sort of deal to lure this sort of player. We're treading water otherwise.

Go for it.

He walks into our starting 22 and makes us better. They are exactly the sort of free agents we simply must target

 

[pjcrows]

He walks into our starting 22 and makes us better. They are exactly the sort of free agents we simply must target

He walks in to our Top 3 best players, not just 22.

 

[Crow till I die]

He walks in to our Top 3 best players, not just 22.

Thilthorpe, Dawson and Rankine and maybe Worrell might disagree but yeah he would be at the better end of our best 22

 

[119others]

Worth every penny and more IMO. Built for the big stage and has arguably been the best 1-2 players in all of their GFs. He instantly moves the needle for us. And over 7 years, that deal evens out nicely.

NAS will be Port in two years. Otherwise, he’s the only other one (coming out of contract) I’d be throwing that kind of coin

cant agree. i have been at the GF in recent years and last year you are right - top 3/4 players on the ground. the other 2 years not in the top 15 players on the ground despite some flashy moments and goals in 2023

look i like bailey and have said so here. have been a fan watching him live for the last 4 years. but he is a half forward type that we are going to make our highest paid player. and he isnt in the games top 50 players. thats my issue. if he gets 1.4 x 7 then whats tt, rankine and curtin going to get paid 1.8-2.5m? as thats what they are worth relatively as truly elite talents (well projecting for curtin). are you happy paying 1.8-2.5 for our other players as thats what this sort of salary benchmark will encourage for a non truly elite player in the game

i would pay nas or a butters type 2m as they are top 5-10 players in the league. bailey will never be elite or a top 20 player. its his 9th year already and even sat night, as often, he flashed into the game and then quiet for the last 3 qtrs

ps reidy last year was convinced we had as much chance landing nas as power did. seeing the new rules for academy/fs players good luck power getting salopek, pilot and maybe rodan at end of 2027 and getting nas

 

[119others]

Jordan Dawson wasn't a star of the comp at Sydney. A lot can change when there is a change of clubs and more prominent roles available to make impact and increase the output of a player.

i suppose the differences are dawson was on half the 1.4m being offer to bailey and had played for 5 years, not 9

i like bailey and have said so numerous times. but he isnt elite and never will be imho (top 20-30 in league). never been ranked top 50 has he after 9 years?

 

[119others]

He walks in to our Top 3 best players, not just 22.

sorry thats not true

 

[BRL121]

cant agree. i have been at the GF in recent years and last year you are right - top 3/4 players on the ground. the other 2 years not in the top 15 players on the ground despite some flashy moments and goals in 2023

look i like bailey and have said so here. have been a fan watching him live for the last 4 years. but he is a half forward type that we are going to make our highest paid player. and he isnt in the games top 50 players. thats my issue. if he gets 1.4 x 7 then whats tt, rankine and curtin going to get paid 1.8-2.5m? as thats what they are worth relatively as truly elite talents (well projecting for curtin). are you happy paying 1.8-2.5 for our other players as thats what this sort of salary benchmark will encourage for a non truly elite player in the game

i would pay nas or a butters type 2m as they are top 5-10 players in the league. bailey will never be elite or a top 20 player. its his 9th year already and even sat night, as often, he flashed into the game and then quiet for the last 3 qtrs

ps reidy last year was convinced we had as much chance landing nas as power did. seeing the new rules for academy/fs players good luck power getting salopek, pilot and maybe rodan at end of 2027 and getting nas

I think you are absolutely right. He is a flashy impact player who has a history of suddenly appearing with moments of brilliance after going quiet for long periods. Having said that, we could certainly do with his type. My concern is the same as yours: he will likely unbalance our salary distribution in an unwarranted way, leading to team morale considerations.

For that sort of money, I would prefer a Petracca type, but beggars can't be choosers.

 

[cmndstab]

Unfortunately you are about 500k too high for Tex. His last 3 one year contracts have all been around 200k, and I seriously doubt Jones and Sholl would be anywhere near 500. We have managed our cap well though and certainly can fit Zac in. In fact my mail is that it’s almost a done deal.

Tex is on $200k a year? That doesn't sound right.

 

[fossilllCrow]

FA stands for free agent........

He’s restricted so they of course will just match it regardless

 

[fossilllCrow]

Like port will with Butters you allow salary space to match the contact knowing regardless it will just be a trade then. No way you miss out on 2-3 firsts.

 

[daniel_4tw]

Like port will with Butters you allow salary space to match the contact knowing regardless it will just be a trade then. No way you miss out on 2-3 firsts.

Not if the player wants to stay, you don’t.

If it’s all about money and Brisbane offer Bailey $10.5m to match, what happens when he turns around and says ‘sure thing where do I sign’ and just cancels his flight to Adelaide. If they’re happy to pay $10m then they’d be offering that now instead of $6m.

You can only do it if you want the player or maybe know the player wants to get home.

Port can do it with Butters because if he says yes they’ll happily sign him. If he leaves it will because of the pull back to Victoria.

 

[WeeBlake]

Not if the player wants to stay, you don’t.

If it’s all about money and Brisbane offer Bailey $10.5m to match, what happens when he turns around and says ‘sure thing where do I sign’ and just cancels his flight to Adelaide. If they’re happy to pay $10m then they’d be offering that now instead of $6m.

You can only do it if you want the player or maybe know the player wants to get home.

Port can do it with Butters because if he says yes they’ll happily sign him. If he leaves it will because of the pull back to Victoria.

Surely surely surely, with their list, Brisbane can’t afford to pay him as much as we can?

 

[pjcrows]

sorry thats not true

It's arguable but I'll stand by it. Proven big game performer on the biggest stage. We have some great top end talent but haven't proven themselves late yet. They may do so eventually, but certainly haven't yet.

 

[daniel_4tw]

Surely surely surely, with their list, Brisbane can’t afford to pay him as much as we can?

No they can’t that’s why (IF) it does happen it will be through free agency and not a trade.

 

[119others]

It's arguable but I'll stand by it. Proven big game performer on the biggest stage. We have some great top end talent but haven't proven themselves late yet. They may do so eventually, but certainly haven't yet.

fair enough mate and thats the beauty of these forums with differing insights and opinions. in summary again, i like bailey and have wanted him for a year or 2 now. its just the 1.4m and the inflationary impact and/or possible player unrest for the rest of the squad which has been as committed and culturally aligned as we have ever seen under nicks culture (his biggest achievement so far). interestingly, someone on this forum said a week or so ago that bailey wasnt very popular with lions teammates. without knowing more about this, but assuming its true, its a big concern bringing in an unpopular, non elite player as clearly the clubs highest paid. thats my issue

i just believe we clearly have already a top 3 far superior to bailey - dawson, tt and rankine. bailey would currently be in the next batch below these along with worrell, rachele etc for starters. both of these guys are younger - racheles 5th year vs baileys 9th - and along with our highest rated draft picks curtin and draper i feel will all be superior talents within 2-3 years time.

so projecting forward, i would see our current big 3, along with worrell, rachele, curtin and draper all ahead of bailey making bailey perhaps 7-10th best player on our list within a couple of years

he is a very good solid quality player who will make us better but clearly NOT an elite difference maker that i believe will win big finals like a neale, mc cluggage type. only pay this money to a bona fide midfield star

fyi. bailey was 8th last year in lions b&f and wasnt top 10 in the 2 previous years

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

interestingly, someone on this forum said a week or so ago that bailey wasnt very popular with lions teammates. without knowing more about this, but assuming its true, its a big concern bringing in an unpopular, non elite player as clearly the clubs highest paid. thats my issue

Obviously that's not an issue worth paying any heed to, given Brisbane's repeated top four finishes and back-to-back flags

Plus we have our own Brisbane insider in a key role in our coaching staff now, who'd have a pretty good idea of his worth as a player

 

[119others]

Obviously that's not an issue worth paying any heed to, given Brisbane's repeated top four finishes and back-to-back flags

Plus we have our own Brisbane insider in a key role in our coaching staff now, who'd have a pretty good idea of his worth as a player

yeah thats a good point re davis having the best insight to judge bailey and his impact on our culture. getting davis was a masterstroke and ideally we keep trying to poach quality lions players - they certainly have a few. like offer w ashcroft 8 x 1.6m - really put the pressure on lions salary cap

what are your thoughts though making bailey our highest paid player for a non elite player that wont be in our top 3 (probably top 5-6 ish for starters and that will drift with curtin and drapers likely ascension)

 

[Slim258]

Obviously that's not an issue worth paying any heed to, given Brisbane's repeated top four finishes and back-to-back flags

Plus we have our own Brisbane insider in a key role in our coaching staff now, who'd have a pretty good idea of his worth as a player

Just gotta hope he was tight with Ah Chee and also enjoyed Davis' coaching style

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

yeah thats a good point re davis having the best insight to judge bailey and his impact on our culture. getting davis was a masterstroke and ideally we keep trying to poach quality lions players - they certainly have a few. like offer w ashcroft 8 x 1.6m - really put the pressure on lions salary cap

what are your thoughts though making bailey our highest paid player for a non elite player that wont be in our top 3 (probably top 5-6 ish for starters and that will drift with curtin and drapers likely ascension)

Likely ascension I wouldn't worry about. Those guys have talent but it's just hope at this stage. Not many runs on the board yet (and none in Draper's case).

Bailey would be in our top four players along with Dawson, Rankine and Thilthorpe plus has more big game performances behind him than all three of them combined.

Best and fairest results for players who are forward of the ball are practically meaningless.

If we're serious and think we have a young core ready to contend then he's the sort of player you target.

 

[Hodgy]

Tex is on $200k a year? That doesn't sound right.

Just under according to his dad. He apparently makes more from his media gigs than from footy. It makes sense when you think about it as he, and indeed nearly all over 30’s, are on 1 year deals. They have virtually no leverage really.

The reason FA deals are so huge is because players know it’s their only real chance to set themselves up financially.

 

[Hodgy]

No they can’t that’s why (IF) it does happen it will be through free agency and not a trade.

Brissy will make a show of trying to keep him, however I’m sure internally they would have already accepted that he’s going. They have been gifted so many A grade talents over the last few years that they absolutely can’t afford to not have the cap space to keep them in the future. Paying overs for Bailey, and giving him 7 years, would seriously diminish their chances of keeping everyone else.

Getting a 1st round compo and having an extra 1.2m per year of cap space makes losing Zac a pretty easy pill to swallow.