Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Lions star Cam Rayner has admitted it was a pleasant surprise when teammate Zac Bailey signed a new eight-year Brisbane deal, conceding he had no idea if the two-time All-Australian was going to leave the club at the end of the season.
In a huge boost for the Lions ahead of their do-or-die finals battle with Adelaide on Saturday night at the Gabba, the club announced on Tuesday that Bailey had committed to Brisbane until 2034 despite a reported $10m offer from the Crows.
“It probably couldn’t come at a better time” Rayner said on Wednesday in acknowledging the Lions had been feeling “deflated” after their embarrassing weekend loss to Sydney.
“It’s exciting to keep someone of his ability and talent around at the footy club for such a long time.
“‘Bails’ re-signing has sparked (the mood) up a little bit, which is good. It’s obviously a little bit deflating after that loss on the weekend, but the thing about finals and the thing that we’ve learnt in years past is you can’t dwell on it.”
Rayner expected Bailey to flourish on Saturday now that speculation about his future had been put to bed.
“For something that’s been spoken about a lot throughout the year, for him to get that off his back, it’s perfect timing for him to come out and have a great weekend,” he said.
“He did such a good job personally just to keep working on his footy and leaving (his contract negotiations) to the side.
“The boys didn’t really have much of an idea (whether he would stay in Brisbane). (We) just let him make his decision by himself.
“Obviously, we were trying to help him, and we wanted him to stay the whole time, which is our job to make sure he felt welcomed and in the right environment to be a better footballer and a person, but I really didn’t have much of an idea.
“I was just as surprised as everyone else and super excited that he stayed and happy for him that he got the contract that he deserves.”
Rayner said the Lions were intent on redeeming themselves this weekend to ensure their dreams of a third successive premiership remain alive.
“It’s a little bit frustrating because I feel in a game of finals like that we should be ready to go (against Sydney),” he said.
“We had opportunities to come back and claw that game back but just fell asleep in some crucial moments.
“We’ve got to come out (against Adelaide) with that sharp edge that we’ve shown that we can do.
“It’s not just going to happen this weekend. Adelaide have been playing some great football.
“The only thing we need to do is just make sure we come out with the right mindset. We’ve been through this situation before. You learn your lessons more than once.”
Rayner was hopeful that defender Noah Answerth would overcome an ankle injury he suffered against the Swans to play this weekend.
“The ankle injury didn’t look so great, but he’s in great spirits around the club. Fingers crossed everything’s right for him,” he said.
