Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2026 - Part 2

[Cromulant]

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.

His dad is well known for telling stories though !!!

Given all his other projects and commitments though it wouldnt be far off.

 

[ABAB]

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)

No doubt Thilthorpe, Rankine and Dawson will be on $1+ with the new salary cap, Bailey should really be on $1M but you need to pay extra for FA so clubs don't match and you don't need to use significant trade capital on a quality player like Bailey. Curtin and Draper are unknown despite their potential and I'm not sure why you say he isn't elite, his stats show he is elite and has perform in the big stage last GF.

 

[Adecagodelphalaide]

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

I fully agree with this and share the same reservations, but as has been mentioned, if we believe we have the list to contend and really want to try and get over the hump, I guess sometimes you have to take big swings like this.

Getting hold of a bona fide midfield star is not an easy thing to do, at the moment he is the best on the market and happens to have ties to SA (which unfortunately is often a requirement for us to even have a chance, narrowing the field further). While the hope is he flourishes with even more opportunity, it could very well go bad and we're upsetting our true stars paying top dollar for flashes of brilliance and locked in until he's 34.

But I think for the most part people would be happy that we've at least taken a big swing rather than sitting on our hands.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

His dad is well known for telling stories though !!!

Given all his other projects and commitments though it wouldnt be far off.

Have dealt with Wacky a fair bit over the years
Ripping bloke, but certainly loves a story or 2

 

[cmndstab]

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.

I have no real insight on this, but it doesn't ring true with Walker's status in the game and the club. Yes, he makes money with media appearances, but those are additional engagements to his full-time job as a footballer where he is one of the competition's better tall forwards. I find it very difficult to believe that he is receiving under $200k a year given that the median AFL salary is more than double that. Unless that's just his base salary and he then receives a significant bonus per game played.

It's possible that Taylor is just feeding his old man a yarn.

 

[pjcrows]

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

All opinion and some fair points but I still stand by it. Bailey is proven, in a multiple premiership team. To throw the likes of Draper in the discussion is quite silly.

 

[119others]

No doubt Thilthorpe, Rankine and Dawson will be on $1+ with the new salary cap, Bailey should really be on $1M but you need to pay extra for FA so clubs don't match and you don't need to use significant trade capital on a quality player like Bailey. Curtin and Draper are unknown despite their potential and I'm not sure why you say he isn't elite, his stats show he is elite and has perform in the big stage last GF.

How is he elite? Its a serious question? IMO, he isnt elite and never will be elite.

In Lions GF years he has finished once in the top 10 in the B&F (last years 8th). Previous to that he finished 8th and 10th in his only other top 10 finishes.

In summary, 3 top 10 finishes (8th, 8th and 10th) in his 8 years on the lions list. No issue with his GF last year - he played a great game - and with better goal kicking could have won the Norm Smith (like Bobby Hill did in 2023. Bobby Hill is NOT elite after one good game). in 2023 and 2024 Bailey wasnt rated in the top 15 players on the ground.

He has never been seen anywhere near a top 50 list in the afl list from my recollection

That I am sorry is NOT elite. Its handy, a good acquisition but nowhere near elite category. Butters is elite. TT, Dawson and probably Rankine are elite. NWM is elite. JHF is likely going to be elite. Bailey is just not in this category and has not the speed, size or strength to extract much more from his game (he is certainly a very smart footballer). He just isnt the elite player people are calling him and thats from a Lions member for 4 years that rates him highly (as a quality player probably 8-10th best on Lions list) and would like him with the Crows

 

[spenze]

Great last few pages, the same people who were telling us Dawson wasn’t worth getting are now putting down Bailey as not being good enough

 

[Cromulant]

How is he elite? Its a serious question? IMO, he isnt elite and never will be elite.

In Lions GF years he has finished once in the top 10 in the B&F (last years 8th). Previous to that he finished 8th and 10th in his only other top 10 finishes.

In summary, 3 top 10 finishes (8th, 8th and 10th) in his 8 years on the lions list. No issue with his GF last year - he played a great game - and with better goal kicking could have won the Norm Smith (like Bobby Hill did in 2023. Bobby Hill is NOT elite after one good game). in 2023 and 2024 Bailey wasnt rated in the top 15 players on the ground.

He has never been seen anywhere near a top 50 list in the afl list from my recollection

That I am sorry is NOT elite. Its handy, a good acquisition but nowhere near elite category. Butters is elite. TT, Dawson and probably Rankine are elite. NWM is elite. JHF is likely going to be elite. Bailey is just not in this category and has not the speed, size or strength to extract much more from his game (he is certainly a very smart footballer). He just isnt the elite player people are calling him and thats from a Lions member for 4 years that rates him highly (as a quality player probably 8-10th best on Lions list) and would like him with the Crows

Lets not go and compare him to Bobby Hill.

Zac Bailey is a MUCH better player than Hill.

 

[119others]

Lets not go and compare him to Bobby Hill.

Zac Bailey is a MUCH better player than Hill.

yeah i agree, i suppose i was trying to say one good gf performance doesnt make a player elite

anyway, ive probably said enough. i do want bailey overall and with 10m offer we are quite likely to get him. lets hope our currently truly elite players dont benchmark that salary and start demanding crazy overs. thats my concern longer term. but also agree if we get bailey for no trade collateral and manage a decent mid (sanders) than we could well be a top 2-3 fancy next year

 

[Scorpus]

I have no real insight on this, but it doesn't ring true with Walker's status in the game and the club. Yes, he makes money with media appearances, but those are additional engagements to his full-time job as a footballer where he is one of the competition's better tall forwards. I find it very difficult to believe that he is receiving under $200k a year given that the median AFL salary is more than double that. Unless that's just his base salary and he then receives a significant bonus per game played.

It's possible that Taylor is just feeding his old man a yarn.

I think it's reasonable from the perspective that he otherwise wouldn't be playing

The list manager could simply say to Tex that he can keep playing if he wants to, but it would be on minimum salary and to do it for the love of the game. Otherwise it's probably time for retirement

I can't see Tex as a player that would want to move states to play for another club on a larger salary for just one or two years

IMO this is exactly what Geelong did with veterans like Tom Hawkins.

 

[FR0GGY]

I think it's reasonable from the perspective that he otherwise wouldn't be playing

The list manager could simply say to Tex that he can keep playing if he wants to, but it would be on minimum salary and to do it for the love of the game. Otherwise it's probably time for retirement

I can't see Tex as a player that would want to move states to play for another club on a larger salary for just one or two years

IMO this is exactly what Geelong did with veterans like Tom Hawkins.

Even sidebottom and Pendlebury are on 400k.
No way he’s on 200

 

[AFC979810]

Even sidebottom and Pendlebury are on 400k.
No way he’s on 200

Just wish salaries were public.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tex took a a one year deal to help he club at 200k. Nor would I be surprised if he took a 1 year 500k deal because the club held him in such high regard.

It's impossible to guess where we are at salary cap wise. It makes speculation on player acquisition extremely tough.

For instance - on face value - De Koning to the Saints is an absolutely stupid deal. That being said - if the Saints had a 4 million dollar salary cap hole over the next 2 years and he was the best they could get - then it makes sense.

 

[Slime Roy]

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.

That's weird because in the media he makes a fantastic footballer!

 

[Cromulant]

That's weird because in the media he makes a fantastic footballer!

Its why footballers go into the media, the money is ridiculous.

 

[Daniel6]

Still think it’s a long shot for him to come to the Crows.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shock-lachie-neale-update-as-two-afl-clubs-outside-western-australia-enter-race/news-story/62667c6736e938dd2b0e1f9213f51a6c

 

[AFC979810]

Still think it’s a long shot for him to come to the Crows.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shock-lachie-neale-update-as-two-afl-clubs-outside-western-australia-enter-race/news-story/62667c6736e938dd2b0e1f9213f51a6c

Zero chance. He will be almost 34 when season 2027 starts.

You would think he signs a 2 year deal with Freo at the end of the year.

 

[Daniel6]

Zero chance. He will be almost 34 when season 2027 starts.

You would think he signs a 2 year deal with Freo at the end of the year.

Yeah, agree with you.

 

[FR0GGY]

Zero chance. He will be almost 34 when season 2027 starts.

You would think he signs a 2 year deal with Freo at the end of the year.

Will they want him? They have a stacked midfield.

 

[AFC979810]

Will they want him? They have a stacked midfield.
If you have the option to get a dual

I think anyone can squeeze in Lachie Neale. Especially if he is coming home for family reasons.

 

[FR0GGY]

I think anyone can squeeze in Lachie Neale. Especially if he is coming home for family reasons.

Anyone that doesn’t have serrong Brashaw young Jackson, Bolton or Reid
Surely better suited at WCE

 

[AFC979810]

Anyone that doesn’t have serrong Brashaw young Jackson, Bolton or Reid
Surely better suited at WCE

And thats when it comes down to what Lachie Neale wants.

If his divorce has taken a bunch of his cash - then he has far more incentive to go and play with West Coast and earn big bucks.

If he wants to build his legacy, protect his body and win a flag - then he joins Freo.

Both sides would bend over backwards to have him.

 

[jenny61_99]

“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.

It's a footy forum, that's what folk do. You have an opinion, others might say "but hey, what about? " And you or they hadn't considered that... and then you or they adjust your/their thoughts and we all move on. Or at least, that's how it SHOULD go, but folks (even me) just take it too personally sometimes. Opinions aren't facts, they should be able to be reshaped based on additional information coming in. Don't take it personally, but do be opened to adjusting your opinions from time to time.

 

[jenny61_99]

I have no real insight on this, but it doesn't ring true with Walker's status in the game and the club. Yes, he makes money with media appearances, but those are additional engagements to his full-time job as a footballer where he is one of the competition's better tall forwards. I find it very difficult to believe that he is receiving under $200k a year given that the median AFL salary is more than double that. Unless that's just his base salary and he then receives a significant bonus per game played.

It's possible that Taylor is just feeding his old man a yarn.

Pretty sure Walker took a salary cut a few years back?

 

[Daniel6]

It's a footy forum, that's what folk do. You have an opinion, others might say "but hey, what about? " And you or they hadn't considered that... and then you or they adjust your/their thoughts and we all move on. Or at least, that's how it SHOULD go, but folks (even me) just take it too personally sometimes. Opinions aren't facts, they should be able to be reshaped based on additional information coming in. Don't take it personally, but do be opened to adjusting your opinions from time to time.

A civil debate is fine. No issue with that.

But when respect is broken, it’s moved past that. Don’t want that.