$2m ‘wrinkle’ revealed as free agent’s call looms; Suns’ bold play for young gun — Trade Whispers

A looming $2m payday for a star forward could force a difficult call for the Lions. Plus the Suns’ play for a first-year Hawk as they weigh their trade options around Ben King

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‘WRINKLE’: $2M THREAT TO LIONS AS BAILEY PONDERS ‘LIFE-CHANGING’ OFFER

Brisbane still holds some confidence it can retain dual premiership star Zac Bailey, but is also bracing for even bigger offers to come for fellow All-Australian Logan Morris, which could impact its ability to retain Bailey, reports CODE Sports journalist Jon Ralph.

A restricted free agent this year, Bailey has been strongly linked to a return to his home state of South Australia, with Adelaide tabling a significant offer.

The Crows have put forward a deal worth around $10 million over seven years, while the Lions recently upped their offer to seven years as well, albeit on less money. Brisbane football boss Danny Daly told SEN in July the Lions had made “pretty close to” their best offer to Bailey.

But potentially complicating the Lions’ bid to retain Bailey is a potential Devils pursuit of Morris, who’s set for a bumper pay upgrade when he comes out of contract at the end of 2027.

Already a dual premiership Lion and All-Australian with a whopping 142 goals from 68 games, Morris is one of the most exciting young key forwards in the game.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, Ralph said the Devils’ likely play for Morris was a “wrinkle” in Brisbane’s desire to keep Bailey.

“The gap between the Lions’ offer and the Adelaide offer is very much life-changing,” Ralph told On The Couch.

“But here’s the wrinkle: Brisbane is fully aware Tasmania will offer Logan Morris offers of about $2 million over a very long period next year. That’s when he comes out of contract.

“The Lions wouldn’t have to match that deal, but they’d certainly have to get within the ballpark to retain their young superstar forward.

“Brisbane is still very confident about Bailey, even though that gap between the offers might be as much as $300,000. It will have to be on their terms, though. His camp says he changes his mind every day.

“If the Lions did have to make a decision, you’d think they’d go for the key forward (Morris).”

Asked if Brisbane could retain both players, Lions legend Jonathan Brown said: “I think supply and demand probably pushes it in the direction of Logan Morris if you had to choose between the two.

“But I think they’d be relatively confident of keeping Zac Bailey as well. He loves the club and there’s still a fair bit of life left in the Brisbane Lions, even if it doesn’t work out this year.

“Some big list decisions for the Lions, but they’ve got to have an eye to the future as well. It can’t just be all about now.”

KING TRADE TWIST AS SUNS’ PLAY FOR YOUNG HAWK REVEALED… BUT PETRACCA ‘HAPPY AND SETTLED’

Hawthorn’s impending acquisition of Gold Coast free agent Ben King prompted the Suns to inquire about the possibility of trading in first-year Hawk Aidan Schubert, according to CODE Sports.

King, who’s kicked 315 goals from 143 games, last month told the Suns he wanted to leave the club and exercise his free agency rights. The Suns stated King had “not advised Gold Coast of his desire to join a particular club”, but it’s understood the key forward wants to move to Hawthorn.

As the 202cm goalkicker is a restricted free agent, the Suns can match any offer made to King and, therefore, force a trade negotiation with the rival club he chooses. But they could also accept a free agency compensation pick, which would almost certainly be Pick 7.

Ralph reported on CODE Sports on Monday night the Suns were “pondering all options across the trade period” to maximise King’s value, which led to their interest in Schubert – a mobile 198cm key forward who was taken at Pick 23 in last year’s draft. Schubert has kicked 28.23 from 17 games in Box Hill’s strong VFL campaign to date, while he also made his AFL debut against North Melbourne in Round 22.

But Ralph wrote that Schubert had “made clear” he was keen to stay at Hawthorn after his first year.

Meanwhile, Ralph reported on Monday night’s edition of On The Couch that star midfielder Christian Petracca wanted to stay at the Suns and play with impending acquisition Scott Pendlebury.

It was reported last week rival clubs believed there was an openness between Gold Coast and Petracca to explore a potential trade – just one year after the premiership-winning Demon’s bombshell move to Carrara.

But Ralph said Petracca was keen to stay at Gold Coast and play alongside his “childhood idol”.

“The Suns have certainly made clear tonight that the speculation about him (Petracca) being unhappy is false,” Ralph told On The Couch.

“He would’ve liked to have played better (in 2026). He’s a big puppy dog who’s really exuberant. He, at times, can wear on people – as we all can – he’s easy to misinterpret.

“His manager, Anna Scullie, tonight is adamant he’s happy and settled.

“He’s very much told the club he cannot wait to play alongside Scott Pendlebury, who was his childhood idol. He loved this bloke and he’s just desperate to see him and his leadership at this football club.”

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