Hawthorn forward Sam Butler has requested a trade to the Gold Coast Suns after touring the club’s facilities and meeting coach Damien Hardwick, according to AFL Media.
AFL.com.au reported on Friday that another Hawks forward wants to head north, with Zero Hanger citing AFL Media on Butler’s request after his Carrara visit.
What AFL Media reported
Zero Hanger said AFL Media reported the trade is expected to be finalised later in the trade period. The Suns have reportedly offered the 23-year-old a three-year deal as they look to add forward-half pressure.
Butler is the second Hawthorn player linked with a move to Gold Coast, after teammate Aidan Schubert sought a trade to the Suns. Zero Hanger said Butler’s move may form part of the same deal that lands Schubert on the Coast.
Why the move makes sense
After an injury-interrupted start to his career, Butler managed eight AFL games in 2026 and is seeking greater opportunity, according to Zero Hanger. Fox Sports, citing Seven’s Tom Morris earlier on Friday, said Butler was contracted at Hawthorn through 2027 and that a Suns switch was expected to get done.
For Hawthorn, the reported exit would free draft capital after the club spent heavily to land Zach Merrett and Ben King, while also dealing fringe midfielder Finn Maginness in the five-club mega-deal.
What remains open
Neither club had issued a formal trade confirmation at the time of writing. The exact pick package, whether Butler and Schubert move in one trade, and the final paperwork timing were still to be settled, according to the reporting.
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