Brisbane are doing everything they can to hang on to in-demand free agent Zac Bailey.
But if they do happen to lose him to Adelaide, who have offered a lucrative deal to the midfielder-forward, the Lions are coming with ammunition.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Brisbane hatch plan to pair Curtin brother as part of possible Bailey trade
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Bailey will be a restricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of this year, meaning Brisbane have the option to match any deal he receives, which would force a trade.
The two-time reigning premiers will do everything they can to keep him and avoid that scenario, but they may also have a plan B to make it work for them.
7NEWS Melbourne’s chief footy reporter Mitch Cleary revealed on The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night that the Lions would eye Adelaide unicorn Dan Curtin as part of a trade for Bailey.
Curtin came second in the Rising Star award to Murphy Reid last year, and his brother Cody debuted for the Lions last weekend.
“I had a theory put to me through the week that I want to unveil here on The Agenda Setters,” Cleary said.
“It revolves around two brothers at the Lions and the Crows.
“Cody Curtin debuted on the weekend for Brisbane, he’s contracted until 2027, he’s about to put pen to paper on a deal ‘til 2029.
“His brother at the Crows, Dan, is also signed until 2029.
“This year, Brisbane have a restricted free agent in Zac Bailey, who’s got keen interest from the Crows. If he does choose to go there, the Lions can match and force a trade.
“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.”
Zac Bailey is one of the hottest pre-agents in the game. Credit: AAP
It would be an interesting dynamic between the two clubs, who could not come to an agreement for Callum Ah Chee last year, forcing the Lions premiership forward to go through to the pre-season draft.
Meantime, another young gun at the Crows might have just paid off a chunk of his house mortgage with one kick.
Brayden Cook has finally established himself as a regular member of Matthew Nicks’s Crows side, and the 2020 draftee repaid his coach last Friday night with the winning goal against crosstown rivals Port Adelaide in one of the most pulsating Showdowns in history.
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That one kick may have fattened up his next contract to the tune of some $200,000.
“Braden Cook was the hero in the Showdown on Friday night. He kicked an important goal, just as he did a couple of years ago as well,” Tom Morris said on The Agenda Setters.
“Finally, someone from the 2020 draft is showing us something — (he was) pick 25.
“He’s out of contract and I understand that conversations between his management and the Crows will begin very soon on a new deal.”
Nick Riewoldt asked how much the kick was worth: “Lived out a boyhood dream by kicking that goal. Crows fan as a kid. How much is that goal worth to him contractually?”
Morris replied: “I reckon that’s a $200,000 goal.”
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