The Lions will be aiming to book their third grand-final appearance in as many years when they face Collingwood in Saturday's preliminary final at the MCG.
Bailey experienced the ultimate joy when the Lions thumped Sydney by 60 points in last year's grand final to claim the 2024 flag.
The team success was what Bailey craved the most, but he couldn't help but feel disappointed at not being able to live up to his own potential during that flag-winning campaign.
Bailey managed just 22 goals last season - his lowest return since the COVID-affected 2020 campaign - and his average of 16.3 disposals and 1.45 clearances were also his lowest since 2020.
A brutally honest chat with midfield coach Cameron Bruce at the start of this year sparked a big change in Bailey, who won his maiden All-Australian jersey for a season that has so far yielded 37 goals to go with averages of 19.8 disposals and two clearances.
"Even though we had a good year as a team and won it (last season), from a personal standpoint it probably wasn't my best year," Bailey said on Thursday.
"So there was a lot of reflection done, especially with Cam Bruce our midfield coach.
"He hit me between the eyes with a little bit of feedback at the start of the year and worked closely with me over the pre-season to get me to where I wanted to be as a player.
"Just around some of that consistency, the way I was prepping for games - I could have made some improvements there.
"(I was) very inconsistent and there were things that needed to be done to become a more consistent player, and he reminded me of those things."
Bailey will become a free agent at the end of next year and his hot form means there are already a growing number of clubs looking to lure him away with big-money deals.
The 25-year-old, who splits his time between attack and midfield, is solely focused on Brisbane's premiership defence.
Collingwood have hit form at the right time of the year and halting the influence of star Magpies midfielder Nick Daicos looms as critical to Brisbane's victory chances.
"We don't usually tag, but in the past Josh Dunkley has gone to him around stoppages," Bailey said.
"So if he (Daicos) does get off the chain a little bit I'm sure we'll have some plans in place to stop that."
Collingwood beat Brisbane by four points in the 2023 grand final.
And when the Magpies beat Brisbane by 52 points at the Gabba in round six this year, it marked the Lions' fourth consecutive loss to their arch rivals.
Brisbane got their revenge seven weeks ago with an upset 27-point win at the MCG and they now have the chance to end Collingwood's season.
19°C