An AFL great would “walk over coals” to land Zak Butters and form the game’s “best trifecta of midfielders.”

But he cautioned suitors against paying too overs for the superstar.

In and Under delves into footy’s hottest topics, with insights from behind the scenes.

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Last week’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and Richmond would’ve had one particularly interested onlooker. This week, that same person will also be eagerly watching Collingwood play Geelong on Thursday night.

Butters is weighing up interest from those four Victorian clubs as the game’s most highly sought-after superstar in footy.

If it’s a bidding war, it’s understood Richmond has the best offer on the table; a record $18 million deal over eight years that’s front-ended.

Granted, Butters is going to be well paid wherever he goes, with the Dogs’ offer believed to be worth as much as $1.7 million per season.

Collingwood and Geelong would also be willing to splurge.

Zak Butters is a free agent (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

Sure, there’s still plenty of water to go under the bridge between now and October.

But the winner of Thursday night’s game might also leave a mark, at least for now, in selling itself as the best destination for success.

Geelong legend Cameron Mooney has declared if Butters were choosing between the Cats and Magpies, the club he decided on would have claim to the best midfield trio in the game.

“I would want Zak Butters at my football club and I would walk over coals to get him,” Mooney told foxfooty.com.au.

“Collingwood could have him and Nick Daicos. Talk about the best one-two punch in the business, along with potentially Lachie Neale.

“Or you could have Butters, Max Holmes and Bailey Smith. Talk about an unbelievable trifecta.

“Knowing that you’re the best, but you’re also not the best. Particularly at Collingwood.

“Either way, it’s almost the best trifecta of midfielders in the competition.

“Either club would be unbelievable. It just depends if you want the city life, or the more country feel, coastal life.”

I know what you’re thinking, Bulldogs fans; ‘Bont and Richards say hi. Along with Darcy up forward’.

But the way this season is heading, Geelong and Collingwood look the most capable of doing damage in September.

You can’t help but wonder how watching one of those teams play finals in front of a packed house of nearly 100,000 fans at the MCG could influence Butters’ call.

Regardless, key data points on each club’s list are being formed with every game they play.

Could Butters look to team up with Max Holmes or Nick Daicos? (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

A potential season-ending syndesmosis injury might give the Port jet extra time to forensically examine the best spot for him to play out his career in pursuit of premierships.

But Mooney has warned clubs against spending overs for Butters given the potential collateral damage it could cause to the rest of their list.

Of course, taking haircuts financially for the greater good of the team played such a key part of the success of Mooney’s Cats and the dynasty Hawks of this century.

“The reason Geelong has been in the finals every year, is you don’t necessarily have a player taking a huge amount of money,” Mooney said.

“This was something we went through many, many years ago.

“On the back end, you lose so many great role players and people from your footy club. That’s where you fall away and fall down the ladder.

“You’re going to leave some money on the table, but you’re still going to get very well paid and play 25 to 30 finals.”

If he were deciding between the four clubs, Money would, to no huge shock, pick the Cats.

“Only because I know how great it is to live here. I might be bias!,” he said. “And who wouldn’t want to go to Geelong when you know you’re virtually locked into a finals series every year?

“Historically, they’ll give you a shot every year.”

Is the ladder lying about Geelong? | 04:22

Mooney described Geelong as the “best city or country town in Australia.” Butters moving closer to his hometown of Bacchus Marsh could well key factor into his decision.

But the Cats great conceded he “would’ve loved” to play for Collingwood and all the blitz and glamour that comes with the powerhouse.

“I’ll be honest, I was so lucky I got to play for Geelong and I loved the place. But I would’ve loved to have played for Collingwood. Loved it,” he said.

“Every game is a big game. you’re constantly playing in front of massive crowds and playing around 70 per cent of your games the MCG. That’s the big drawcard in itself.

“You look at guys like Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia. They left the Gold Coast and went to a big club in Richmond.

“That’s what you want. If you’re going to come to Melbourne, you want to come to a big club. Because every week is a final, with the

atmosphere and the crowd.”

Mooney doesn’t hold the same fear of others that Collingwood is approaching a list cliff with champion trio Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe in their twilight.

“I think they’re such a good club. They’ll be working behind the scenes to make sure that once Sidebottom, Howe and Pendlebury go, there isn’t going to be this huge gap,” he said.

“They’re banging on other doors all over the country to bring people in.

“To me, Collingwood is going to be thereabouts for a long time. Just because of who they are and the powerhouse they are and that gives them better ability to bring in other players.”

“At the end of the day, either Geelong or Collingwood would be unbelievable. It just depends if you want the city life, or you want the more country feel, coastal life.”