Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination, with the Dogs beating Geelong for his services provided they can secure him via free agency or a trade.
The Power confirmed that the club had been notified by Butters of his club of choice. Assuming they can navigate a trade or land the 26-year-old champion via free agency, the arrival of Butters will be a coup for the Bulldogs, regarded as one of Victoria’s “smaller” clubs.
The prospect of Butters heading to Whitten Oval is against the trend of in-demand free agents ordinarily joining a leading Victorian club, such as when former Sun Tom Lynch joined Richmond in their premiership era.
Port Adelaide will have to decide whether to match the massive, nine-year offer to Butters or force a trade. If they choose not to match, they will receive pick No.5 in the national draft – the selection after Port’s first pick.
Their early draft choices will be needed to match the likely bid at pick No.1 for their academy gun Dougie Cochrane.