There’s plenty of cashed-up AFL clubs floating around the Zak Butters free agency race, but considering the young star’s flag dreams, there’s only two real contenders.
New links have sprung up again this week that suggest Richmond is “leading the race” to sign the 26-year-old, especially from SEN Radio, but the Tigers are outsiders at best in the battle.
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Instead, it’s Collingwood and the Dogs that have the best chance to sign Butters for 2027 onward – and it won’t be because they have the most cash.
Right now, the biggest deal on the table for the free agent is an $18 million deal that would stretch over eight years. That’s come from the Tigers, who are desperate to use Butters as a rebuild centrepiece.
Port Adelaide are also happy to pay Butters big money to stay. But, the biggest hinge will be a flag: The versatile midfielder only wants two things from his next deal, when he does put pen to paper, and it boils down to being able to move back to Victoria, and winning the whole thing.
Butters is from Melbourne’s western suburbs and is friends with Victorian teammate Marcus Bontempelli, so that gives the Bulldogs an edge in proceedings.
And from the Magpies’ side, linking up with Nick Daicios to challenge for flags would be appetising, especially considering their late-year run.
Their “never-ending premiership window” is also a sell, the Herald Sun wrote.
Butters is currently more focused on his rehab and recovery after he suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury against St Kilda in Round 18. There’s every chance he could play for Power again in 2026, though it will be a tight squeeze considering they’re long odds to make Top 10.
The 26-year-old went in for surgery in Melbourne in early July and is now resting the ankle before he returns to full training with Port Adelaide.
The AFL suggests he’ll be available to play against Essendon in Round 24.
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