The Brisbane Lions are wasting no time in their attempts to maintain their hold on star forward Zac Bailey, with the club seeking to extend the 2025 All-Australian this off-season, well ahead of his looming 2026 free agency status.

Bailey has been reported to have several "mega offers" heading his way from interstate rivals as clubs attempt to poach the back-to-back premiership player from the success of the Lions.

It includes the Bombers, with AFL Media's Cal Twomey revealing in September that Essendon could offer the star Lion a six-plus year contract, worth about $1.3 million per year, making it the most lucrative contract in Bombers history.

However, Brisbane are reportedly hoping to get ahead of the rival interest by meeting with his management this trade period, according to AFL Media's Josh Gabelich, as extension negotiations get underway.

Bailey's management group, Mac's Sports Promotions, has "fielded calls from almost every club" gauging if Bailey has a desire to move from Brisbane, and have stated that while Bailey's decision will come down to football and lifestyle reasons, which Brisbane clearly offers, the financial factor will also be a key component in his eventual decision.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Zac Bailey of the Lions kicks the ball during the AFL Grand Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Zac Bailey of the Lions kicks the ball during the AFL Grand Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

"We haven't had those chats yet. He has obviously just come off a flag and is in Japan at the moment and is enjoying a little bit of downtime," Tom McConville from Mac's Sports Promotions said on AFL Trade Radio.

"We'll have a conversation with him when he comes back and see what he wants to do.

"There is no doubt he's had a career-best year, and I think he is going to be hot property next year as a free agent. We'll work through that in due course.

"It will be a lifestyle and football decision, but there is also the financial component.

"He wants to be winning games, playing well and getting the best out of himself. He is going to be looked after well."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Levi Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Callum Ah Chee, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris, Stuart Dew during the AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Levi Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Callum Ah Chee, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris, Stuart Dew during the AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Both South Australian teams, Port Adelaide and Adelaide, are expected to pursue Bailey after failing to land Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera this year given Bailey's roots in the state, having been drafted out of SANFL club Norwood in 2017.

Bailey averaged a career-high 20.0 disposals per game in 2025, kicking 42 goals from 26 games. It included a 23-disposals, 10-score involvement effort in Brisbane's Grand Final win, which saw Bailey notch three goals (and six behinds) in the Lions' second consecutive premiership.