In-demand restricted free agent Zak Butters has officially nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred new club.

First reported by AFL Media journalist Callum Twomey on Saturday morning, the 26-year-old’s call is set to dictate October’s trade period.

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The shock revelation comes after the Cats’ season ended at the hands of Fremantle in Friday night’s semi-final.

Butters had long been considered likeliest to nominate one of the Bulldogs or Geelong, with Richmond sitting comfortably third in the pecking order but still in the picture due to the prospective trade capital it could offer Port Adelaide.

And after a period of time where the suggestion was that Cats were in the box seat, the Darley product looks Footscray-bound, in what would be the Dogs’ biggest-ever offseason recruit.

The Bulldogs, whose campaign came to a close last Saturday night against Adelaide, have reportedly offered Butters a nine-year deal worth between $1.8-2 million.

The gargantuan contract is hence worth up to $18 million; the biggest that footy has seen.

The Dogs were reportedly informed of Butters’ decision on Friday night.

According to SEN’s Sam Edmund, the superstar midfielder celebrated with friends in Seddon Village on Friday night at the Mona Castle Hotel, which is co-owned by retired Bulldog Tom Liberatore.

SEN’s Tom Morris reported on Saturday that Butters had already spoken to close friend and recently-re-signed Bulldog Buku Khamis, as well as captain Marcus Bontempelli, in the wake of his decision.

Morris described Khamis’ recommittal this week as a “significant re-signing” in the context of the Dogs’ bid for Butters’ signature.

In a huge revelation, Zak Butters wants to be a Western Bulldogs player. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Port Adelaide has remained steadfast in its stance that any contending offer for Butters would be matched by the club, which would force the Dogs to satisfy the Power in a trade.

But as Morris reports, there’s confidence on both sides that a deal can be agreed to amicably.

“The Dogs have already made it clear to Port Adelaide the work they are prepared to do for a trade. This gave the Butters camp confidence that a deal won’t be messy,” he wrote on X.

However, an alternative avenue could still be a live option for the Alberton list bosses.

Opting not to match a Bulldogs offer would net Port Adelaide the No.5 pick as free agency compensation, with the suggestion that it and the Dogs could then agree to separate trade deals to enhance the overall return.

When the Dogs on Saturday morning confirmed they’d received official word on Butters’ choice, they chose their words carefully.

“The club will work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period,” part of their media release read.

AFL boss Greg Swann said recently the league will “scrutinise” every deal this trade period following speculation about a unique Butters package.

“All the deals have got to stand up on their merit,” Swann said on SEN earlier this month.

“Let’s see what happens. If Zak goes and (Port) take the compensation pick and then there’s a trade for another player or trades for picks, it’s got to stand up.

“We’ll just monitor that and see what it looks like.”

Butters averaged 29.8 disposals, 6.1 clearances and 5.7 inside 50s in 17 games this season, walking away with his third All-Australian jacket in August.

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