Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination for the 2027 AFL season, turning down interest from Geelong and Richmond.
The departing Port Adelaide midfielder is a restricted free agent, meaning his current club can match the Bulldogs’ offer and force a trade to be negotiated between the two sides.
The proposed Western Bulldogs deal has been reported as the biggest in AFL history, worth between $1.8 million and $2 million a season over nine years.
Butters, 26, is understood to have celebrated the decision with friends at recently retired Bulldogs champion Tom Liberatore’s pub in Seddon, close to the club’s Whitten Oval base.
“The Dogs were informed last night of Zak Butters’ intention to join them. Needless to say, they are ecstatic,” 7NEWS sports reporter Tom Morris said.
He added that the club had been preparing for the move by re-signing Butters’ close friend Buku Khamis on a five-year contract and ensuring ruckman Tim English remained at the club.
Butters is a three-time All Australian and three-time Port Adelaide club champion. At the end of the season, he confirmed that he would be returning to Victoria after deciding to leave Adelaide.
“I’ve made the decision to head home. It’s one that I’ve wrestled with for a while now and it’s been quite tough to get to the bottom of it,” Butters said.
“It’s a tough decision, one that I haven’t taken lightly.
“I feel like although I’ve loved my time in Adelaide and everything the city and club has given to me, I’m probably at the time of my life where I’d like to get back around my family and friends and cherish more time with them.”
Geelong had recently been considered marginally ahead in the race for his signature, but the Bulldogs have now emerged with a major coup.
If the move is completed, Butters could join Tim English, captain Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in a formidable Western Bulldogs midfield next season. Port Adelaide must now decide whether to match the offer before the clubs attempt to reach an agreement.
