Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan said he would continue to play star Zac Bailey, even if he were to leave the club amid a major free agency decision.
Fagan believes the code can "be mature" about the futures of players around the league, a mould which has been adopted by the NRL.
"Absolutely I would," Fagan said on SEN.
"We've got to be more mature about things. Okay, someone might think he's not going to be there next year, you'll be better off playing someone who will, but no, I just take the view that Zac, you've been here for seven or eight years, the best thing you can do is play well for the rest of the year, and leave the club on good terms.
"That's how I think about it. I hate the idea of anyone leaving but that's just the reality. Let's be mature about it."
The rival league is transparent regarding player movement, but has been a point of contention in the AFL, with fans erring on the side of concern.
Bailey is weighing up a move away from the reigning premiers amid their chase of a three-peat of flags.
Adelaide is heavily interested in the mid-forward, while Essendon tabled an offer last year.
The Lions have put forward a deal to retain Bailey, and are confident they can keep the 26-year-old.
"Generally speaking, (we haven't set a time for a contract call)," Fagan added.
"Hughy McCluggage was in the same boat last year. It might've been around the halfway mark the year that he was going to stay.
"The other two boys, Starcevich and Ah Chee, who left at the end of the year last year, we were having conversations with them (throughout 2025). The longer the year goes on, the more you worry about it.
"We'd hate to lose Zac Bailey. He's a fantastic player. He started his career with us. He's developed with us. And we like to think he can play his whole career with us.
"People are motivated by different things, and sometimes the offers are too good to refuse. We'll just see what happens."
Fagan said he has a "rough idea" of his players' salaries but doesn't spend a lot of time on it.
"I might get asked by our list manager what I think, whether I think that player is worth this much money," he said.
"And I might have an opinion on that. But that's as far as it goes. I like to keep it fair. You want your very best players to be paid the best money. For the happiness of your football club, almost."
