‘Something special’: How slumbering Lion fulfilled (and defied) childhood predictions

Of the hundreds of young footballers Earle Richardson has mentored in his 25-year-career, just six have stood out as AFL-bound talents.

But even as a budding 10-year-old, playing alongside his twin with the Northern Territory’s Howard Springs Lions, Zac Bailey embodied a tenacity his coach knew would take him to the nation’s top league.

“Every now and then one will come along, and you’ll think, ‘this one is something special’, and he was definitely one of those,” Richardson says.

Zac Bailey of the Lions celebrates with Josh Dunkley after kicking a goal.Credit: via Getty Images

“I’ve been coaching 25 years and I reckon I’ve said it six times. He was always the best player, without a doubt.”

Bailey’s ascent to Brisbane Lions’ premiership-winner marks a culmination for the 25-year-old, who has spent much of his career battling to find his place in the side.

He has floated between the forward line, midfield, wing and halfback in his 156 games among the elite, and last year managed a niggling ankle injury that kept him to 22 goals for the season – his fewest since 2020.

But the Darwin product burst to life against Port Adelaide two weeks ago, kicking five goals, collecting 26 disposals and registering seven inside 50s.

He backed that up on Thursday night against Carlton – his goal and 21 disposals, albeit with a wayward four behinds, helping inspire a 37-point triumph of the Blues.

“He could’ve kicked the first three goals of the game, couldn’t he?” Lions coach Chris Fagan laughed.

“He wasn’t off the boil, he just didn’t kick straight.”

For the Lions to defend their 2024 title, Bailey must piece his skill set together consistently – one forged well before he arrived at The Den.

Taking the next step

Coming up through the Darwin ranks, Bailey’s connection with his twin had him playing within his comfort zone, and thriving on sheer talent.

“I used to call Zac the little bulldog and Jordan was the Rolls-Royce,” Richardson says.

Zac Bailey put on a clinic against the Power.Credit: via Getty Images

“They were two completely different footballers. Jordan was silky and skilled and Zac was just ‘get in there and get the footy’.”

Another mentor from the NT, Southern Districts Crocodiles under-14s coach Tarmon Elliott, said the twins “looked after each other, as close brothers would”.

“No one would push the other around without the other brother coming in,” he says.

Elliott says Bailey had an intensity that suggested if there was ever a ball to be won, “he was not going to get beaten by anybody”.

“The way he plays now is very similar to the way he used to play then, with his explosive speed.

“Even as a kid, if he ever had the ball out in front of goal, you’d back him all day, every day.”

Yet, he admits to some shock at the strides he has taken.

“I was surprised to see him get to the big stage. He was good enough, but I was surprised he had the drive to really get himself there, and have as big an impact as he has.

“A lot of kids in Darwin, I think they get stuck and that’s where they don’t get to grow like Zac has.”

Bailey would leave his northern sanctuary to pursue his ambitions in Adelaide at Prince Alfred College.

Come 2017, he was on track to become a bona fide star following a best-on-ground State Knockout final performance against a Henley High School side boasting future AFL sensations Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius.

Juggling his AFL pursuits while spearheading the school’s First XI soccer side, his coach Martin McKinnon identified an “innate self-belief, competitiveness and commitment” within him.

“It was immediately evident that he was a balanced athlete, blessed with clean hands, ability to accelerate from and through contests, and a great step and change of direction,” McKinnon says.

“In school Zac played mainly as a midfielder, where his ability to accelerate from stoppages, break the game open with his ball carrying and hit the scoreboard were invaluable.”

Martin McKinnon

“The AFL is obviously at a different level and not everyone, or anyone, can be a midfielder all the time. It makes sense his qualities are being utilised by the Lions both in the midfield and forward.”

Bailey continued to travel back to the Territory to help the Crocodiles qualify for a victorious under-18 final.

“I think that’s what really turned his career,” Elliott says. “Getting out of Darwin. A different lifestyle I think changed his footy dramatically.

“He matured into a young man and his work ethic had changed. He definitely grew substantially.

“His actual game style hadn’t changed. He just grew into his own game, and I do feel when he moved away he really stepped it up massively.”

For Brisbane to go the distance again, they will need an X-factor and point of difference to emerge.

The time has arrived for Bailey to grow again.