AFL champion and former Brisbane player Luke Hodge believes Zac Bailey bypassed a life-changing offer from Adelaide due to the noise circulating about coach Matthew Nicks' future leading into last week's elimination final.
Bailey opted against exercising his free agency rights, signing an eight-year extension with the Lions, which is understood to be on less money than the Crows offered.
A report last week indicated Nicks' tenure at the West Lakes club could have ended if the Crows lost to the Western Bulldogs.
"Whoever leaked that (Matthew Nicks story)... from the Adelaide Football club, I reckon that's a big reason why Zac Bailey did not go to Adelaide," Hodge said on The Agenda Setters.
"You look at how Zac Bailey's been around Brisbane. He's had stability around him since he's been there. Two of his first three years, he played finals; they were out in straight sets. You hear anything about Chris Fagan getting sacked? No. They put more support around him.
"They lost the Grand Final. Did you hear anything about Chris Fagan? No, they put more support around him.
"The Adelaide Football Club went from 15th to two finals series in a row, and then if they lost on the weekend, Matthew Nicks was going to be sacked."
"Whoever leaked that (Matthew Nicks story)... I reckon that's a big reason why Zac Bailey did not go to Adelaide."
🗣️ Luke Hodge on Zac Bailey re-signing with Brisbane on an eight-year deal pic.twitter.com/E2I8REadxZ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 8, 2026
Hodge spent time with Bailey during his two seasons at Brisbane, helping guide the next generation alongside Chris Fagan.
The four-time premiership Hawk knows the inner workings of the Lions, and how they've gone from cellar dwellers when he first arrived to back-to-back premiers.
"For a bloke who is an introvert, who doesn't want that much attention, Zac would go across to Adelaide being a $1.5 million player, the highest-paid player on the Adelaide Crows list, in a two-team town that is obsessive and passionate about football, I think that deterred his decision," Hodge added.
“How many times have you seen a player leave (their decision) this late (in the year) and then backflip and go back to their club?
"I strongly believe that what happened last week, in Adelaide, whoever let that leak out, shake your head, because you just cost yourself Zac Bailey, who is a matchwinner, who Adelaide needs to take that next step."
Bailey has played 186 games for the Lions since he was drafted in 2017 alongside Cam Rayner.
He has won two premierships, and has received back-to-back All-Australian blazers.
