Zak Butters’ impending move to the Western Bulldogs could evolve into this year’s “mega deal” if Port Adelaide decide to match the free agency offer for their outgoing superstar midfielder.
As the AFL’s trade period started on Monday, Bulldogs player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan said that a multi-club deal was among the options to try to appease the Power’s demands for Butters, a triple All-Australian.
Another scenario if Port Adelaide were dissatisfied with negotiations after potentially matching the Dogs’ nine-year, $18 million offer for Butters is to send him to the pre-season draft, where Richmond could grab him for free, although Power list boss Jason Cripps hoped to avoid that.
Zak Butters has declared his desire to play for the Bulldogs, but as a restricted free agent, could face some uncertainty this week.AFL Photos
“We’re exploring all different options, whether it be trade involving players, involving picks, moving picks, sliding picks,” Cripps said.
“We don’t have the exact answer [on] which way it’s going to play out.”
Three trades have already been agreed to – two involving Collingwood – with Scott Pendlebury heading to the Gold Coast for pick 65, and Jesse Hogan becoming a Magpie as selection 75 went to the Giants.
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But the blockbuster deal of the day was ex-Essendon skipper Zach Merrett crossing to Hawthorn for picks 15, 25 and the Hawks’ 2028 second-rounder.
Pendlebury could have joined the Suns as an unrestricted free agent, but Gold Coast wanted to make a trade to avoid diluting their compensation pick for Ben King, which would be No.7 if they don’t match Hawthorn’s offer.
This is Hogan’s fourth stop after starting at Melbourne, before a tumultuous two-year stint at Fremantle, then a resurgence at GWS that included winning the 2024 Coleman Medal.
Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch, who also signed dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale from the Brisbane Lions on a three-year free agency deal, said Monday’s trades were “tick-the-box” agreements, but that a deal for premiership Tiger Jayden Short would be tougher to complete.
Leppitsch said list spots, salary cap space and what the Tigers asked for were all factors in Short joining the Pies.
“We’ve had an early indication from Richmond what they would like, and it’s still a bit far off from us, so there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge for that one,” Leppitsch said.
Jordan De Goey will also be a name to follow as the Collingwood star seeks one “last contract”. Leppitsch left the door ajar for De Goey to be traded after Steele Sidebottom’s retirement and Pendlebury’s Gold Coast move.
He also hinted he would be open to trading Dan Houston if the defender or an opposition club inquired about him, neither of which has happened.
Elsewhere, St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes said they were willing to trade wantaway ruckman Rowan Marshall to Geelong – a year after he tried unsuccessfully to get to the Cattery – but only if the deal “works well for us”.
Jordan De Goey has a year left to run on his contract, but there’s some uncertainty about his immediate playing futurevia Getty Images
This masthead reported that the Saints wanted the Cats’ first-round pick and a player, potentially Lawson Humphries or Sam De Koning.
However, Geelong’s general manager of football Andrew Mackie has ruled out giving up their first-round selection for Marshall.
Hayes said on Monday that the Saints wanted a pick or a player, and when pushed on St Kilda’s specific stance, said it could be a combination of both.
The Saints also need to broker a deal with Brisbane for midfielder Sam Marshall, who has requested a trade to Moorabbin.
Melbourne are another club that will be busy in the next week-and-a-half.
North Melbourne’s out-of-contract forward Zane Duursma, the No.4 pick in the 2023 draft, wants to join the Demons, but Kangaroos list boss Brady Rawlings still hoped to “talk him around” if a suitable trade could not be struck.
Melbourne’s premiership midfielder Jack Viney had initial interest from West Coast and Essendon after the Demons encouraged him to explore his options, but the Bombers have decided to prioritise their younger on-ballers.
It means Viney must choose whether to stay in red and blue or become an Eagle.
West Coast also have interest in another contracted Melbourne player, Trent Rivers, who is from Western Australia and will be a free agent next year. Fremantle list boss David Walls said on Monday they were not going to pursue Rivers.
Essendon’s list manager Matt Rosa confirmed their interest in Geelong’s Jack Bowes.
Injury-cursed Bombers defender Jordan Ridley wants to get to the Cats, and Rosa said there was a possibility that Bowes could be tied into that.
Carlton are keen to bring in Giant Lachie Whitfield, who is set to join fellow veterans Greene, Hogan and Jake Stringer in departing GWS. But Giants recruiting manager Adrian Caruso confirmed that Harry Himmelberg was staying at the club.
