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Too much discussion gets lost in the Trade Rumours thread...
Link to Mitch Cleary article
So Butters is still potentially in play this year. Port will try to say no - what do we have to convince them to say yes?
With four weeks left in the 2025 season, Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters sat down with Power officials to broach the possibility of a trade home to Victoria.
The Power vice-captain was hit with an emphatic no.
And it’s easy to see why. The Power’s best player, who last month won his third consecutive best and fairest, has a year to run on his contract as new coach Josh Carr takes the reins.
“I’ll be here next year,” Butters told ABC Radio after the Power farewelled coach Ken Hinkley and champion Travis Boak with a win in the final game of the season.
Rival clubs hold onto a glimmer of hope Butters could go back on his word and ask again — this time more forcefully — as the trade period officially begins in the next 24 hours.
The 25-year-old’s strong family ties in Victoria were central to his desires to seek a football future back home.
Butters spends every minute possible on his family’s property in Darley (50km west of Melbourne). For Power matches in Victoria, he arrives early and departs late, with the club’s blessing. When he can support his local football club, he’s there.
But when a club gives their word, it is their word. And Butters as an asset is worth far more to the Power in 2026 than any draft picks this November.
No matter how hard opposition clubs try to prise Butters out, the spectre of the 181cm bulldozer looms large over the next 10 days.
Provided nothing happens this year, Butters will enter season eight in 2026 as a restricted free agent with a big decision to make — and if clubs want him, they’ll need to come armed.
Unless Port Adelaide finish in the bottom handful on the ladder, matching a free agency bid on Butters to force a trade would be an easy decision. Think Jeremy Cameron in 2020.
Given the Power’s strong current salary cap position, they will be able to match any offer.
Cameron was a Coleman medallist, GWS best and fairest, and All-Australian when the Giants matched Geelong’s bid.
Butters has three John Cahill Medals, is a dual All-Australian and winner of the 2023 Coaches’ Association Champion Player Award.
Cameron cost Geelong three first-rounders (they got a pair of second-rounders back) at the same age. It’s hard to see Butters costing any less.
The Western Bulldogs, Butters’ boyhood club, have held the strongest and longest interest in winning his signature.
They’d be prepared to offer upwards of $1.7 million a season over at least eight years if Butters was keen.
Butters has had contact with Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who has re-signed at the Kennel for four years.
“He’s (Butters) got a big decision on his mind, and I hope we’re in the situation and the football club looks potentially like a place he could see himself,” Bontempelli told 7NEWS in July.
You would’ve had to have had your head buried in the gourmet desserts in Crown Palladium on Brownlow Medal night to miss Butters’ extended chats at the Bulldogs’ table. At one stage he was the last person standing as the broadcast came back from a commercial break.
On a good day you can get from the Darley Bakehouse to the Barkers Café at Whitten Oval in 40 minutes. Essendon’s base at Tullamarine is just as close.
All 10 Victorian clubs will make a play if Butters explores a move in 2026.
Link to Mitch Cleary article
So Butters is still potentially in play this year. Port will try to say no - what do we have to convince them to say yes?
With four weeks left in the 2025 season, Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters sat down with Power officials to broach the possibility of a trade home to Victoria.
The Power vice-captain was hit with an emphatic no.
And it’s easy to see why. The Power’s best player, who last month won his third consecutive best and fairest, has a year to run on his contract as new coach Josh Carr takes the reins.
“I’ll be here next year,” Butters told ABC Radio after the Power farewelled coach Ken Hinkley and champion Travis Boak with a win in the final game of the season.
Rival clubs hold onto a glimmer of hope Butters could go back on his word and ask again — this time more forcefully — as the trade period officially begins in the next 24 hours.
The 25-year-old’s strong family ties in Victoria were central to his desires to seek a football future back home.
Butters spends every minute possible on his family’s property in Darley (50km west of Melbourne). For Power matches in Victoria, he arrives early and departs late, with the club’s blessing. When he can support his local football club, he’s there.
But when a club gives their word, it is their word. And Butters as an asset is worth far more to the Power in 2026 than any draft picks this November.
No matter how hard opposition clubs try to prise Butters out, the spectre of the 181cm bulldozer looms large over the next 10 days.
Provided nothing happens this year, Butters will enter season eight in 2026 as a restricted free agent with a big decision to make — and if clubs want him, they’ll need to come armed.
Unless Port Adelaide finish in the bottom handful on the ladder, matching a free agency bid on Butters to force a trade would be an easy decision. Think Jeremy Cameron in 2020.
Given the Power’s strong current salary cap position, they will be able to match any offer.
Cameron was a Coleman medallist, GWS best and fairest, and All-Australian when the Giants matched Geelong’s bid.
Butters has three John Cahill Medals, is a dual All-Australian and winner of the 2023 Coaches’ Association Champion Player Award.
Cameron cost Geelong three first-rounders (they got a pair of second-rounders back) at the same age. It’s hard to see Butters costing any less.
The Western Bulldogs, Butters’ boyhood club, have held the strongest and longest interest in winning his signature.
They’d be prepared to offer upwards of $1.7 million a season over at least eight years if Butters was keen.
Butters has had contact with Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who has re-signed at the Kennel for four years.
“He’s (Butters) got a big decision on his mind, and I hope we’re in the situation and the football club looks potentially like a place he could see himself,” Bontempelli told 7NEWS in July.
You would’ve had to have had your head buried in the gourmet desserts in Crown Palladium on Brownlow Medal night to miss Butters’ extended chats at the Bulldogs’ table. At one stage he was the last person standing as the broadcast came back from a commercial break.
On a good day you can get from the Darley Bakehouse to the Barkers Café at Whitten Oval in 40 minutes. Essendon’s base at Tullamarine is just as close.
All 10 Victorian clubs will make a play if Butters explores a move in 2026.
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