Brisbane Lions star seeking to lift form in milestone match

Zac Bailey is hoping to rectify his “slow start” to the AFL season in his milestone appearance for the Brisbane Lions this weekend.

Zac Bailey is set to reach 100 AFL appearances for the Lions. Picture: Mark Brake / Getty Images

Brisbane Lions milestone man Zac Bailey is still adjusting to the extra attention he’s receiving from wary rivals as he battles to rediscover the form which made him one of the AFL’s most dynamic attacking weapons.

Bailey, 23, will make his 100th AFL appearance on Saturday when the Lions meet the GWS Giants in Canberra.

Bailey’s Lions journey, which began in 2018, has coincided with the club’s rise from easybeats to premiership contenders.

“I got to the club at a pretty good time,” Bailey said on Tuesday.

“The years before I got there were pretty grim, so to be able to be there when the club is on the rise was really good.

“When I got to the club, I just wanted to play one game, so to think that I’m playing 100 after six years is amazing and I’m super grateful to the club for giving me that opportunity.

“Coming in as a skinny boy with not much knowledge about the game and being in the AFL environment has helped me a lot and I’ve obviously been able to put on a little bit of size and get a little bit bigger and fitter, which has helped me at that AFL standard.”
Bailey has raised his own standards in the past couple of seasons, kicking goals at vital times for Brisbane and dominating games with his speed and agility.

Zac Bailey will make his 100th appearance for the Lions this weekend. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

However, his start to Brisbane’s 2023 campaign hasn’t been of the same high level.

“As I continue to improve, defenders are going to show me a little bit more attention,” Bailey said.

“It’s probably a bit of a slow start for me, but hopefully over the next couple games I can get back to showing some of that form I was in the last couple years.

“We’ve probably had a couple of additions into midfield which have meant I’ve had to play a little bit more forward, which I’m not too fussed about.

“One of my strengths is being able to play multiple positions, so it’s just adapting to that and hopefully I can get going in the next couple of rounds.”

High on confidence after thrashing North Melbourne by 75 points last Saturday, the Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins this weekend.

“We really got our ball movement going (against the Kangaroos), which is something we probably didn’t have in the first couple of rounds. That really helped the forwards get out the back and keep a few goals,” Bailey said.

Former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston is set to be available for selection this Saturday after not taking part in the AFL’s Gather Round because he was being “managed” by the Lions.

Defender Darcy Gardiner made his long-awaited return from injury last Saturday via Brisbane’s VFL team, but it’s unknown whether he will be considered for top-flight selection this weekend.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions star seeking to lift form in milestone match