The “strong pull of home” could shake an in-demand Port star as two AFL rivals are set to go head-to-head in their recruitment pitch.

Plus why the Eagles would be open to splitting their top picks in a bid to accelerate a rebuild, and how St Kilda’s bold trade play could backfire.

Watch every match of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

‘PROXIMITY’ COULD BE CATALYST IN BUTTERS CALL

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

There’s a “strong pull of home” for in-demand pre-agent Zak Butters, who’ll be eligible for restricted free agency next October.

And if the Port Adelaide superstar ultimately decides to leave Alberton this year or next, he could well choose his Victorian destination based on its proximity to his hometown.

The 24-year-old is contracted at the Power through next year but hails from rural Victorian town Darley — almost 70km west of Melbourne’s city centre — and is expected to carefully weigh his options.

Hawthorn recently emerged as a determined suitor of Butters, but the Hawks might end up being beaten to the punch by two rivals due to a factor outside of their control.

Will Hogan return for Elimination Final? | 02:13

AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich gave his thoughts on the situation on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“There’s a strong pull of home,” Gabelich began.

“It’s been well documented about his family’s struggles. But he’s spent seven years away from Darley.

“I think if he was to choose to leave, whether it’s this year (or next) — but I expect it to be next year — it would be Geelong and the Western Bulldogs because of the proximity from where he’s from.”

READ ALSO: Cashed-up Hawks ‘ready to launch’ big trade play. Four superstars must be in their sights

The Darley Devils junior has played seven seasons at Port Adelaide and developed a superstar profile as one of the competition’s most dynamic and courageous players.

The 139-game former no.12 pick this year averaged a career-best 27.9 disposals with 5.0 inside-50s and 6.6 clearances. He was selected to the All-Australian squad of 44 but missed the final cut this week.

EAGLES OPEN TO PICK SPLIT

West Coast CEO Don Pyke has revealed the club are open to splitting their prized picks – but it’s dependent on what’s on the table.

The Eagles are still waiting to hear back from the AFL in regards to a compensation bid – after just 11 wins in four seasons, while there’s also the compensation for the looming exit of co-captain Oscar Allen.

Allen has already informed the Eagles of his intention to explore his options as a restricted free agent – with Brisbane reportedly his club of choice.

The Lions’ offer to Allen is widely expected to net West Coast a Band 1 free agency compensation selection, which would be Pick 2 – the pick after the Eagles’ natural first-rounder, but a potential deal for Lion Brandon Starcevich is complicating those matters.

Crows ponder their Rankine replacement | 02:18

“We’ve had several contracts in front of Oscar for a period of time and those haven’t received, sort of the nod of approval,” Pyke told ABC Sport radio.

When asked if the Eagles would consider splitting a potential pick 1 and 2 draft hand, Pyke replied: “My short answer will be we’ll look at the list and look at the draft pool and again, I need to probably lean clearly heavily on our list manager and recruiting team to say well what’s our best return?”

“If there’s two players who are clearly stand out and we do end up with one and two, we’d have to be strongly swayed to change that,” he said.

“If there was a broader pool of talent that meant you could get two really good players and maybe split one of those picks – it also depends how many picks you’re going to have and where we’re at.

“We’ve obviously got Hawthorn’s pick as well (acquired in last year’s trade for defender Tom Barrass).

“If we wanted to have four picks in the top, you know first round then splitting one might be an option. Don’t know.

“It’s a good question.

“It’s certainly something we will consider – but we want to make sure we bring in the best talent and utilize those picks if we do end up with one and two.”

The Eagles have only had three prized No.1 picks in their AFL history – Drew Banfield (1992), Michael Gardiner (1996) and Harley Reid (2023).

The AFL Commission will assess West Coast’s submission for compensation in Grand Final week.

AFL names All-Australian Team | 02:12

WILL SAINTS’ BOLD TRADE PLAY BITE?

St Kilda are ramping up their list build this off-season, having already secured the signature of their $2 million man Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

With Blues big man Tom De Koning nominating the Saints as his club of choice as a restricted free agent, that deal is rumoured to be the $1.7m mark.

On top of that, the Saints are reportedly chasing the likes of Jack Silvagni (whose dad Steve is the club’s list boss), Cam McKenzie and Leek Aleer.

But could the bold trade stance backfire? Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney is concerned.

“I just worry what happens culture-wise with this group going forward – the pursuits of half a dozen players that are all going to be on massive money,” he warned on SEN.

“Is (Nas) going to perform the same level next year as he did this year? Is Tom De Koning going to come in and be a $1.7m player?

“If Wanganeen-Milera drops off next year, if De Koning doesn’t play a lot better footy than he did at Carlton and other guys jump to that elite level … I just wonder where it leaves that in terms of culture and jealousy with other players earning so much.

Nas on reason for staying with Saints | 02:36

“I like what they are doing with this (bold trade hunt), but it does leave the possibility of upsetting the culture of the club within the group.”

Fellow SEN journalist Sam Edmund believes the Silvagni move is growing – despite massive interest already from the Western Bulldogs, and Collingwood – although coach Craig McRae conceded he didn’t score a “second date” with the former Blue.

“The industry has been buzzing for many weeks that the Saints were ready to pull the rug out from underneath the Dogs and the Pies,” Edmund said.

READ ALSO: ‘Absolute disgrace’: Blues powerbroker rips club over Silvagni family feud

“Whether Jack Silvagni reunites with his dad Steve at St Kilda. Remembering that was the reason why Carlton did not recontract Stephen Silvagni due to the complexities around managing a list with his sons on it.

“Now St Kilda are going to go down that path it would appear potentially.”

Edmund made it clear however that Silvagni Snr “sits out of the meetings” regarding his son Jack’s future now that he has officially farewelled Carlton.