As the AFL season heats up, all eyes are on Port Adelaide's rising star Zak Butters, who has become a focal point in the upcoming trade period. Despite being under contract until the end of 2026, Butters is attracting significant interest from four powerhouse Victorian clubs: Essendon, Richmond, Hawthorn, and Collingwood. According to Sam McClure from Nine's Footy Classified, these clubs believe they might have a chance to lure the talented midfielder back to Victoria as soon as this year.
Butters, who grew up in Bacchus Marsh and played under-18 football for the Western Jets, is a two-time All Australian and has established himself as one of Port Adelaide's key players. His potential availability has prompted these clubs to prepare serious offers, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Port Adelaide's performance this season. "There are now four Victorian clubs who are aware that his head may be turned not next year during free agency, but at the end of this season," McClure stated.
Adding to the intrigue is the impending departure of Port Adelaide's long-time coach Ken Hinkley, who will officially hand over the reins to Josh Carr at the end of the season. Butters shares a close bond with Hinkley, and rival clubs are keen to use this connection as leverage in their pursuit of the young star. McClure emphasized that, "the second crucial element of this is that Zak Butters is one of a select few at Port Adelaide who has developed an extremely close bond to Ken Hinkley."
Despite the interest, Port Adelaide remains optimistic about retaining Butters. The club has ample salary cap space to offer him a significantly increased pay packet and hopes to extend his contract beyond 2026. However, sources indicate that Butters and his management group, recently transitioned from Mark Kleiman to Peter Lenton, have not yet indicated a willingness to discuss an extension.
As the season progresses, Butters is still recovering from knee surgery he underwent in February 2025, which has kept him from playing in the early rounds. He is expected to miss up to another month but has been actively training, completing a strong running session with Port Adelaide staff in Melbourne recently. The Power are hopeful he will return to the field soon, potentially for the upcoming match against St Kilda. Butters watched his teammates suffer a disappointing loss to Essendon from the stands, a game that highlighted the need for Port to improve as they seek to maintain their competitive edge.
Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies expressed confidence in retaining Butters, stating, "I imagine at that point he is going to be a restricted free agent, so we’ve got control of that situation anyway. But there’s no doubt that Zak is going to get paid." This sentiment reflects the club's belief that they can keep their star player, despite the growing interest from rival clubs.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn is particularly keen on adding midfield depth and has made no secret of its desire to acquire Butters. With Carlton’s first-round pick in the upcoming draft and a solid financial position, the Hawks are well-equipped to make a competitive offer. Richmond and Essendon also hold two first-round picks each, making them formidable contenders for Butters should he become available.
As the trade period approaches, the dynamics surrounding Butters’ future will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. With the potential for significant draft picks and financial incentives on the table, the landscape of the AFL could shift dramatically depending on how Port Adelaide performs this season.
Butters' situation is emblematic of the broader trends within the AFL, where player movement and contract negotiations are increasingly influenced by team performance and management changes. As clubs like Essendon, Richmond, Hawthorn, and Collingwood prepare to make their moves, the stakes for Butters and Port Adelaide could not be higher. The upcoming weeks will be crucial not only for Butters' recovery and return to the field but also for the future of the Power as they navigate this critical juncture in their season.
In conclusion, Zak Butters stands at a crossroads in his career, with the potential for a major shift looming as the trade period approaches. Will he remain loyal to Port Adelaide, or will the allure of a return to Victoria prove too strong? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the AFL landscape is watching closely.
