Zak Butters says the footy industry isn’t ready for premature player movement decisions, such is the case in rugby league.
Speaking on Tuesday, in-demand restricted free agent Butters said he wouldn’t reveal his decision early if he’d already made it in-season.
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Butters has remained steadfast this year that he’ll make a call on his high-profile footy future at the end of the season.
It comes as the Western Bulldogs reportedly continue to lead the race to land the superstar midfielder’s free agency signature.
Geelong, Collingwood and Richmond are also pursuing the 25-year-old Victorian, with the latter tabling an eight-year deal worth $18 million.
Ahead of Saturday’s Showdown, Butters was probed on the idea of making a call mid-season for the sake of ending the speculation and finishing the year unburdened.
“I’ve heard that brought up a bit, and I’ve probably thought about it myself, but I just don’t think it’s the right way to go about it,” he told reporters in Adelaide.
“The league’s probably not quite ready for it – I feel like if you look at the NRL, and the chaos it causes with contracts and player movement, I’d probably tend to stick away from it.
“I feel like how I’ve handled it and the club’s handled it has been pretty good, so I’ve been more than satisfied with where that’s been.”
Asked in a follow-up if that meant Butters wouldn’t reveal his decision now if he’d already made it, he confirmed: “Correct.”
Butters’ response comes after Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he wasn’t keen on the prospect of the AFL adopting the NRL’s player movement model.
“I don’t want to go down the NRL track,” Beveridge defiantly said earlier this month.
“I think it’s a really difficult thing club-wise to know that one of your own players has gone: ‘I’m leaving’.
“Ultimately, they’d be treated a bit differently and I mean, you don’t want to, but if they’re not your player beyond that year, you can’t help but be emotional about it.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 20: Nick Daicos of the Magpies and Zak Butters of the Power push each other during the 2026 AFL Round 15 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Butters was also asked where he presently sat in terms of making his decision, though his answer was predictable.
“It’s getting closer and closer (to the end of the season), but nothing has really changed,” he said.
“I’ll make my decision at the end of the year and will sit down with the club and my manager.
“The footy club, my coaches, teammates and staff have been great. I love playing footy there and coming to work there.”