Brisbane have reportedly identified Arty Jones as their contingency plan as Zac Bailey weighs a potentially club-changing move to Adelaide.
The Lions remain optimistic Bailey will stay, but their reported interest in the Western Bulldogs forward shows they cannot afford to wait without preparing for the worst.
Lions Identify Bailey Contingency Plan
According to Zero Hanger’s report on Brisbane’s Bailey contingency plan, the reigning premiers have identified Jones as a possible recruit if Bailey exercises his free-agency rights.
Bailey is a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season, meaning Brisbane would have the right to match an offer lodged by a rival club.
Adelaide has reportedly presented the two-time premiership player with a seven-year deal worth approximately $10 million. Brisbane’s latest offer has also been reported as a seven-year contract, potentially worth close to $1.2 million per season.
Neither offer has been formally confirmed by the clubs.
Lions coach Chris Fagan expressed confidence in July that Bailey’s affection for Brisbane could ultimately persuade him to remain at the Gabba.
“I feel optimistic about Zac, to be honest. I don’t know why I do, but I do. I know he loves being here,” Fagan said.
However, Fagan offered only “no news” when questioned about Bailey’s future following Brisbane’s recent victory over Essendon.
Why Brisbane Wants Arty Jones
Jones would not be a direct replacement for Bailey, who has developed into an explosive midfielder-forward capable of changing major matches.
He would, however, give Brisbane another quick, dangerous ground-level forward capable of applying pressure and creating scoring opportunities.
Jones has played 16 games for the Bulldogs this season, kicking 17 goals and 15 behinds while averaging 11.3 disposals, 2.9 marks and two tackles.
Originally selected from Claremont with pick 43 in the 2021 national draft, Jones has produced the most consistent football of his AFL career during 2026.
That improvement has attracted attention from Brisbane, Essendon and West Coast, although the Bulldogs have reportedly offered him a new three-year contract with a significant pay rise.
Jones has not requested a trade, and the Bulldogs are believed to remain confident that he will re-sign.
Brisbane’s interest should therefore be viewed as contingency planning rather than evidence that either Bailey or Jones has already decided to leave his current club.
Jones Cannot Truly Replace Bailey
Recruiting Jones would soften the damage caused by Bailey’s departure, but describing the two players as interchangeable would dramatically undersell what Brisbane could lose.
Bailey is an established premiership star who can play through the centre, break open matches with his speed and finish opportunities inside 50. He has also repeatedly delivered during Brisbane’s biggest finals.
Jones remains primarily a small forward and has not demonstrated Bailey’s ability to influence games as a midfielder.
If Bailey accepts Adelaide’s enormous offer, Brisbane may receive valuable free-agency compensation or attempt to force a trade by matching the contract. Neither outcome would guarantee the Lions could find a genuine replacement.
The possibility of adding Jones is therefore only one part of a much larger list-management puzzle.
Bailey Decision Could Reshape Brisbane
The Lions have assembled one of the AFL’s deepest and most successful playing lists, but retaining every premiership star eventually becomes impossible under the salary cap.
Adelaide’s reported offer would provide Bailey with long-term security and the opportunity to return to South Australia. Remaining in Brisbane would allow him to continue playing with a proven premiership contender where he is already an important part of the club’s culture.
For now, Brisbane still wants Bailey and believes it can convince him to stay.
But successful clubs plan for uncomfortable possibilities. The interest in Jones suggests the Lions understand that optimism alone will not protect them if Bailey decides $10 million is too difficult to refuse.
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