Why Richmond offer the best, win-win-win deal for Butters and Port Adelaide

August 2, 2026 — 5:00am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

The Victorian clubs’ pursuit of Zak Butters may resemble The Bachelor or Farmer Wants a Wife, in terms of how the clubs are throwing themselves at the Power gun.

In reality – as opposed to reality TV – the bidding for Butters is more like a tendering process, in which companies are trying to secure a coveted client.

The bidding for Butters is redolent of 19 years ago, when Chris Judd’s services were out to tender, and, as with Butters, the field quickly narrowed to four Victorian suitors.

One difference is that Judd’s exit from West Coast, while speculated upon throughout 2007, had not been viewed as so certain until mid-to-late September. The tenders from Collingwood, Essendon, Melbourne and the successful bidder, Carlton, did not land until shortly before the trading period.

Free agent Butters has already met with all four of his suitors, each of whom have something distinctive on offer. We assume (as Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly did, to Port Adelaide’s irritation) that he’s leaving Port.

Harry Dean kicked his first AFL goal on a dream night for the Blues. His dad, a Carlton great, missed it

The Bulldogs, purportedly the early clubhouse leader, offer favourable geography and tribal loyalty – Butters grew up following the Dogs – for the midfield superstar. He has fostered a bond, too, with their champion and skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Some in the industry believe Butters is already in the Doggy bag, subject to a deal being struck. Others involved in the bidding are adamant that he’s undecided.

Geelong offer relative proximity to Darley, on the western metropolitan fringe, where Butters’........

© The Age