Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred club. The Bulldogs confirmed on Saturday 12 September that the Port Adelaide midfielder has told them he wants to join, choosing them over Geelong.
“Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has informed the Western Bulldogs of his desire to join the club,” the club said. “The club will work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period.”
Butters is 26 and a restricted free agent, which means Port Adelaide holds the right to match any offer he receives and force a trade rather than let him leave for compensation. The two clubs will now begin talks to facilitate a deal.
The Deal
The Bulldogs have reportedly offered a record nine-year deal worth upwards of $1.8 million to $2 million per season. He would join Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in the midfield.
Butters grew up in Darley, in Melbourne’s west, as a Western Bulldogs supporter, and idolised Bontempelli. “Although I’ve loved my time in Adelaide,” he said, “I’m probably at a stage in my life where I’d like to get back around some family and friends.” He described the call as a “tough decision and one that I haven’t taken lightly”.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke in June about the pull of the club. “Marcus, and some of Marcus’s teammates, are quite naturally drawn to Zak,” he said. “They played in the state team together in February, so he’s developed some relationships.”
Port Adelaide’s Position
Port had previously indicated it would match any offer and force a trade. If it declines to match, compensation under the current system could be pick No. 5.
During the season there were reports of offers exceeding eight years from Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs. Butters narrowed the choice to the Bulldogs and Geelong before picking the club he supported as a child.
His Record at Port Adelaide
Butters was drafted by Port Adelaide with pick No. 12 in the 2018 national draft and has played eight seasons and 156 games. He is a three-time All-Australian and a triple club best and fairest winner, and won the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award in 2023.
He served as interim captain for much of 2026 while regular skipper Connor Rozee was injured. His final game in Port colours was a round 18 loss to St Kilda, ended by an ankle syndesmosis injury. On 24 August he announced his intention to head home to Victoria.
How a Deal Gets Done
The AFL has confirmed the dates for this year’s player movement period. Free agency opens at 9am AEST on Friday 2 October and closes at 5pm AEDT on Friday 9 October. The trade period runs from 9am AEDT on Monday 5 October to 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday 14 October.
If Port matches the Bulldogs’ offer, the clubs have until 14 October to agree a trade. If it does not, he leaves as a free agent and Port receives the compensation pick. Either way, the deal cannot be finalised before the window opens next month.
Sources: Western Bulldogs statement, 12 September 2026; AFL, “Dates confirmed for 2026 AFL player movement period”, https://www.afl.com.au/news/1523242; ABC News, “Zak Butters fixes sights on Western Bulldogs move”, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-12/zak-butters-nominates-western-bulldogs-as-chosen-club/107146574; The Age, “Zak Butters nominates the Western Bulldogs”, https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/zak-butters-nominates-the-western-bulldogs-20260912-p60wr5.html; Fox Sports, “AFL trade news, rumours 2026: What Zak Butters free agency call means”, https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-2026-what-zak-butters-free-agency-call-means-western-bulldogs-port-adelaide-geelong-cats-richmond-tigers/news-story/84dab1aa59e3d6d27b6cd65beeb161ef; ESPN, “Reports: Zak Butters makes call on new club”, https://www.espn.co.uk/afl/story/_/id/49908519/
Photo: DustyNail, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
