Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley expects Zak Butters to command upwards of $2m per season in the upcoming trade period, whether he stays or goes.
The Power midfielder is out of contract at the end of 2026, and has been strongly linked with a return home to Victoria.
This will lead to a bidding war as every team attempts to persuade the superstar their way.
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Zak Butters of the Power with Ken Hinkley. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Hinkley, who coached Butters for his entire career to this point, said it would be a difficult year of decision-making for the 25-year-old.
“I reckon it’s going to be a question I get asked a bit, and I’ve got a really clear answer on Zak,” the ex-Power coach told SEN.
“Zak loves home; there’s no doubt about that. He loves his family, he loves his home. But he loves his footy club, he loves Port Adelaide and he loves his teammates.
“He’s got a really challenging decision [to make]. I’ve heard Zak say this himself this pre-season that it’s not a decision that he will make quickly or lightly.
“He will make it somewhere near the end of the year. It might even be right at the end of the year.
“I think he’s going to have a real challenge with either one – leaving Port Adelaide or going home.”
St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera became the game’s highest-ever paid player at the end of 2025, re-signing with the Saints on a two-year deal worth $2m per season.
Young West Coast midfielder Harley Reid reportedly signed a similar contract extension shortly after.
Zak Butters. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Hinkley expects Butters will join that club, potentially on a much longer-term deal.
“What (Zak) won’t have is any lack of income,” Hinkley added.
“You are the beneficiary of the market you live in. For him the market has gone gangbusters, it’s blown the roof, it’s taken off.
“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has taken off over $2m and those sort of numbers. If that’s what the numbers are then Zak Butters is going to be at the very top of those numbers.
“The highest-paid players deserve every bit they get. The game has grown unbelievably, it is so big now and the best players deserve the best money.
“You’ve got to have your stars and your stars have got to get paid like stars, and $2 million is the new normal for the stars.”
If Butters does choose to depart Port Adelaide, the club can use his restricted free agency status to match any offer that comes his way.
Given he is one of the game’s top midfielders, they are likely to match any price for their back-to-back-to-back best and fairest.
This will force Butters, and his club of choice, into a situation where they will have to trade for him.
He has been linked strongly with the Western Bulldogs, the team he grew up supporting, while Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn and Geelong have also been mentioned.