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I am starting this thread early for 2026 as the first rumour has come about.
Departing Power assistant coach Chad Cornes makes Zak Butters bombshell 2026 trade call
Departing Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes is predicting star midfielder Zak Butters to depart the club next year.
The 25-year-old raised the possibility with the Power of returning home to Victoria before this trade period, something that was swiftly denied by the club.
However, Butters becomes a restricted free agent at the end of 2026 and will be able to depart in the trade period if he chooses.
It was a curious trade period to say the least, with Butters seen training with a Carlton development coach one day and then golfing with Essendon players the next.
Cornes, a 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player and assistant coach since 2015, is departing the club as part of a coaching revamp following the exit of senior coach Ken Hinkley at the end of the 2025 season.
He is planning to join the AFL media in South Australia, following in the footsteps of his brother Kane.
Speaking on SEN, Cornes said his feeling is Butters will exit the club in 2026 and named the Western Bulldogs as the frontrunners to land him.
"I love (Butters). He's such a great guy. If you had to make a prediction, I think he goes this time next year," Cornes said.
"And I would be saying, he loves the Bulldogs. Just a real hardcore Bulldogs supporter before he got drafted.
"I don't want to make a big call too early."
Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps said the club's focus is signing Butters long term in the next year.
"We want Zak to be at the club for the next 10 years, and that will be our sole focus at the right time," Cripps said during the trade period. "Zak's really happy, 100 per cent committed to the club and a super important player for our future."
Departing Power assistant coach Chad Cornes makes Zak Butters bombshell 2026 trade call
Departing Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes is predicting star midfielder Zak Butters to depart the club next year.
The 25-year-old raised the possibility with the Power of returning home to Victoria before this trade period, something that was swiftly denied by the club.
However, Butters becomes a restricted free agent at the end of 2026 and will be able to depart in the trade period if he chooses.
It was a curious trade period to say the least, with Butters seen training with a Carlton development coach one day and then golfing with Essendon players the next.
Cornes, a 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player and assistant coach since 2015, is departing the club as part of a coaching revamp following the exit of senior coach Ken Hinkley at the end of the 2025 season.
He is planning to join the AFL media in South Australia, following in the footsteps of his brother Kane.
Speaking on SEN, Cornes said his feeling is Butters will exit the club in 2026 and named the Western Bulldogs as the frontrunners to land him.
"I love (Butters). He's such a great guy. If you had to make a prediction, I think he goes this time next year," Cornes said.
"And I would be saying, he loves the Bulldogs. Just a real hardcore Bulldogs supporter before he got drafted.
"I don't want to make a big call too early."
Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps said the club's focus is signing Butters long term in the next year.
"We want Zak to be at the club for the next 10 years, and that will be our sole focus at the right time," Cripps said during the trade period. "Zak's really happy, 100 per cent committed to the club and a super important player for our future."
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