Zac Butters?? I. DON'T. CARE.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Won't he be a restricted free agent at the end of next year? In which case Port can match a bid and force a trade like the Crows did when Dangerfield left.

But they won't. Nobody ever does in the same way nobody follows through with "sending them to the draft" when clubs like Geelong want to lowball them.

Once a player says he wants to go, the current club have the weakest hand. They don't want a player (especially on mega money) that doesn't want to be there.

They also don't want to upset player managers, because they need to keep a good relationship with them for the next 100 trades.

The system sucks. But at least this time it will maybe go in our favour.

[mighty_west]

In a heartbeat, we are a club that rarely catches the big fish, like the really big ones, yeah Barry Hall and Aker were grouse, but they were both in their twilight years, we brought in the big number 1 pick from the Giants after they raided us and we hit the jackpot, a Premiership, Butters just makes us so much more dynamic in the midfield, plus as other have stated Libba and Treloar will need to be replaced either this or next year, Libba will go around again but not so sure about poor old Adz, we are here to win Premierships at ALL costs!!! Butter up.

[Bornadog]

I agree with MJP in that we have to develop our own recruits and turn them into Bulldogs. You can't rely on continually topping up players from other clubs; it doesn't always work.

However, if Butters wants to play for us then I would not turn down an A Grade mid.

[Mitcha]

I agree with MJP in that we have to develop our own recruits and turn them into Bulldogs

Didn't we do this with Dunkley and the other long haired flog that now plays at the Cotton On's? It's time to strike back and get a gun before they are topping up their super when they come to us. Libba and Adz will both be gone at the end of 26 and Sanders may return home soon after. If he is keen, bloody well get it done.

[mjp]

His premiership photo will be in blue and white hoops though.

I fixed it for you.

[Mofra]

I'd normally agree.

But if a rolled gold superstar wants to join you, you have to say yes.

Barrass / Daniel / Macrae / Bozo. That cash is available now. We're not blowing up the cap for anyone, and that's making the assumption we keep Marra beyond 2026 which is no certainly.

Treloar & Jones may come off the cap next year as well. JJ possibly, and very likely the year afterwards as well.

[alwaysadog]

I agree with MJP in that we have to develop our own recruits and turn them into Bulldogs. You can't rely on continually topping up players from other clubs; it doesn't always work.

However, if Butters wants to play for us then I would not turn down an A Grade mid.

Yes that's my take but with a couple of provisos.

The idea wouldn't go anywhere unless Bevo thought he was a match both in personality and in the role(S) he could play.

Over and above all this is a strategic question,.
If this is where we are going to invest so much of our salary cap or compromise our recruiting strategy going forward is this the area that needs it most?

I'd be inclined to say no. It may be true that Adz is just about finished, but Libba?? I know he can't go on indefinately however the body of work he has demonstrated this year doesn't deserve such harse treatment.
The fact is the discussion is more about how we fit all the midfield available and if Garcia replicates anything like his VFL form tonight, he will further complicate the picture.

I left the question hanging as to what my priority area for recruitmnet wold be. I know we've got Buss doing time in the ressies but I'd like to see at least one more talented key back on our list.
What's more I don't care if they are converted forwards. They would be very much at home with the rest of the gang.

[The Adelaide Connection]

MJP has excellent points as always.

But I have a question: What does Zac Butters choosing us mean for:

-Marketing?
-General buzz around the place?
-Membership numbers?
-Bulldogs as a destination?
-Flow on ability to attract other players?
-Flag chances?

It has to mentioned that he was a Dogs supporter growing up and always had aspirations to play with Bont. This is not your regular big money mercenary.

It would be a balancing act to keep other players happy and ensure they don't have their toes stepped on by a big money recruit, but when you factor in the Bailey Smith money sitting there I don't think it is exactly going to necessarily mean others will miss out on what they were in line for.

I am firmly IN.

[GVGjr]

I agree with MJP in that we have to develop our own recruits and turn them into Bulldogs. You can't rely on continually topping up players from other clubs; it doesn't always work.

However, if Butters wants to play for us then I would not turn down an A Grade mid.

Are there any teams that just successfully draft and develop their own players?
Brisbane aren't bad at it, but in recent year they chased top end talent like a Butters clone in Neale and of course Dunkley and Daniher etc
Geelong use their geographical position to their advantage and have been successful in a top up approach.

It seems to me the best sides do in fact top up with top end talent when they get that opportunity.

We don't have a great track record of bringing in players close to or approaching their prime. Even Tom Boyd was well before his prime and it was an educated punt.
Butters might just be that player so we have to go hard at it if he is in fact interested in fulfilling a boyhood dream of playing for the Dogs.

I get that chasing older players to fill gaps isn't ideal but Butters is the complete opposite in that sense.

[Bornadog]

Are there any teams that just successfully draft and develop their own players?
Brisbane aren't bad at it, but in recent year they chased top end talent like a Butters clone in Neale and of course Dunkley and Daniher etc
Geelong use their geographical position to their advantage and have been successful in a top up approach.

It seems to me the best sides do in fact top up with top end talent when they get that opportunity.

We don't have a great track record of bringing in players close to or approaching their prime. Even Tom Boyd was well before his prime and it was an educated punt.
Butters might just be that player so we have to go hard at it if he is in fact interested in fulfilling a boyhood dream of playing for the Dogs.

I get that chasing older players to fill gaps isn't ideal but Butters is the complete opposite in that sense.

You missed one word in my reply - Rely.

I agree topping up can work but you can't rely on just topping up.

[GVGjr]

You missed one word in my reply - Rely.

I agree topping up can work but you can't rely on just topping up.

I agree that you shouldn't rely on it but Geelong have done exceptionally well at raiding other clubs.

The last 2 years we have brought in youngsters via the National Draft and this year and additional 2 via the MSD we haven't topped up for a little while
We seem to have got the balance right

Is it time to go hard at a top end talent like Butters? Perhaps so

[Bornadog]

The last 2 years we have brought in youngsters via the National Draft and this year and additional 2 via the MSD we haven't topped up for a little while
We seem to have got the balance right

Is it time to go hard at a top end talent like Butters? Perhaps so

Yes, I would.

[lemmon]

I fixed it for you.

Nice one

[Grantysghost]

Butters in would be such a massive statement it opens up years of attraction.

Just do it