Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps says Zak Butters will “100 per cent” be at the club next year as rival suitors confirmed their interest in the star midfielder.

It was reported on Sunday night that Butters, set for free agency next year, late in the 2025 season had broached the idea of a trade back to Victoria with Power officials, who responded with an emphatic rejection.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Cripps said the report was “not correct,” with Port’s priority to lock away the 25-year old at Alberton long-term.

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“I haven’t had any calls about Zak. It’s pretty clear, Zak is happy and 100 per cent committed to the club,” he said.

“He’s obviously a super important and it’s important for our members and supporters, because there’s been a bit of noise about Zak externally, our sole focus is to hopefully get Zak to recommit to the club for a long period.

“We want Zak to be at the club for the next 10 years, that will be our sole focus … a super important player for our future.”

Zak Butters of the Power is chased by Clay Hall of the Eagles. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Cripps said Butters had “never broached the idea of being traded”.

“We’ve had ongoing discussions with Zak and his management group … as we do with all our players, in particular our interstate players, over the journey,” the Port list boss added.

“We’ll continue to have those discussions with those players, but as I said, Zak is 100 per cent committed and happy at the club.”

Cripps said there was “no need” to even entertain a trade for Butters ahead of his free agency year, with Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Hawthorn among the clubs circling, as he “doesn’t want to go anywhere”.

“Zak’s sole focus now is having a good break, which he needs, and attacking the pre-season,” he added.

“We’ve made a lot of change sin our footy department, obviously Josh Carr coming in as senior coach and we’ve brought in four really experienced coaches underneath and around Josh.

“Zak and all of our players will focus on building that connection with those coaches and hopefully bouncing back and having a better season next year. Because this year was really disappointing and well below our expectations.”

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Western Bulldogs footy boss Sam Power said Butters, who’s originally from Melbourne’s western suburbs and grew up a Dogs fan, was a player they’d paid “extra interest” towards across his career.

“Clearly he’s an unbelievable player … you always take an interest definitely from growing up in the western suburbs in Darley,” Power said.

“If Zak had a wish to return to Victoria I think he’d have every Victorian club looking at that.

“But at this stage he’s contracted and we haven’t heard anything different to that.”

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Cats list boss Andrew Mackie confirmed the club was “keeping really close tabs” on Butters, but also acknowledged his contract status.

“He’s a gun. We’d love him (but) so would 17 other clubs, including Port Adelaide,” Mackie said.

“So as far as we’re concerned he’s a contracted player, and we haven’t spent too much time on it, other than admiring his football from where we sit.”

Hawks list guru Mark McKenzie said Hawthorn would also be in the market for Butters if he were available.

“I think he’s a player of interest for every club at this point in time,” he said.

“But I think it’s been strong for where that sits with Zak from Port Adelaide’s point of view.

“I would’ve thought everyone has asked the question at some stage … you obviously speak to managers.

“He’s contracted with Port and that’s where he is at this point in time and we’ll see how that goes.”

Butters last month cemented his place as a Port Adelaide great, claiming a third consecutive best and fairest award.

The vice-captain took out the John Cahill Medal for a third straight year, polling 134 votes to finish 16 votes ahead of much-improved

forward Mitch Georgiades (118) and captain Connor Rozee (117).

Butters, who averaged 28 disposals in 2025, joined Warren Tredrea (four), Kane Cornes (four) and Robbie Gray (three) as the only Power players to win at least three club champion awards in the AFL era.