Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters will unquestionably be the biggest name in free agency circles next year and potentially the biggest star in their prime to move clubs in many years if he opts to leave.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move home to Victoria, with every club set to go all-out to lure him.
Butters has won Port Adelaide’s best and fairest three years in a row, has made two All-Australian teams and serves as the club’s vice-captain.
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He knows full well the focus that will be on him as the footy world awaits his decision and says his entire focus is just on the Power and 2026.
Sportsbet Speedway Ambassador Zac Butters getting ready to race at Morphettville Race Course. Â Kelly Barnes
“I guess I experienced a bit of being in the spotlight towards the back-end of the season, but I actually don’t try and read into it too much,” Butters told Wide World of Sports.
“At the moment I’m still contracted to Port Adelaide and got a lot of good friendships here and have a lot of respect for Josh Carr and the new coaches.
“Even my first week at the club I’ve really enjoyed it and have been really happy to be back and to get stuck into training.
“For me right now it’s something I’ll think about towards the back-end of 2026, but right now I’m locked in and focused on round one and playing some good footy.”
Now-retired Port Adelaide star Travis Boak went through something quite similar in 2012, needing to decide whether to recommit to the Power or accept an offer from a Victorian side.
Geelong was so eager to sign Boak that they flew coach Chris Scott and stars Joel Selwood and Jimmy Bartel to Adelaide to meet with him and attempt to lure the gun midfielder.
Butters admits he has spoken with Boak and teammate Ollie Wines about how to best navigate these next 12 months and the publicity that will follow.
“Those two boys Ollie and Trav have been very supportive and have said if I ever need to reach out and have a chat or sit down or talk through contracts or footy or life, they’re a little bit older than me so they’ve been through this scenario a couple of times,” Butters said.
“I’ve had a few good chats with Boaky around what he did and his decisions. I also look up to them and what they’ve done at Port Adelaide and in the community here in Adelaide, so I have some really good role models and people to lean on.”
Boak retired at the end of the 2025 season and now finds himself at Carlton as a development coach.
Zak Butters. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Carlton is clearly positioning itself for a run at Butters, with the appointment of Boak, and new head of football Chris Davies, who moved across from the Power. They also boast four first round picks across 2026 and 2027.
The Western Bulldogs are seen as the favourite to acquire him, given he grew up supporting them as a kid.
Former Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes predicted them as Butters’ home in 2027.
Hawthorn, Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon are among the teams that will throw everything at him in the next year as well and he will likely command a contract worth $2m per season.
If Butters does accept a deal in free agency with a rival club, Port will have the chance to match it and force a trade given he is a restricted free agent.
It is a new era at the Power, with coach Ken Hinkley handing the reins to Josh Carr, who will lead the club forward.
Butters says there’s a new energy around the club.
“I’ve been in the full week, I went back on Monday. It’s definitely a lot of new faces and new coaches and it’s been refreshing to get to know them all and start fresh and they’re also pretty excited and have a lot of energy themselves,” Butters said.
“New players coming in, a lot of young boys, new coaches, that mix creates a lot of energy and spark naturally.
“Not that I’m that old, but I’m sure it’ll help some of us older guys really buy into that as well.”
Butters has been named among the first group of players announced for team Victoria in February’s State of Origin game, alongside Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Rowell, Jeremy Cameron and Nick Daicos.
The midfielder said he’s always wanted to represent his state on the biggest stage and is excited to have the opportunity.
Zak Butters breaks a tackle. Â AFL Photos via Getty Images
“I’ve put my hand up for Victoria. I guess if I’m fit and healthy when that comes, I’ll definitely be out there,” he said.
“It’s definitely something every kid dreams of, playing for your state. You grow up playing for Victoria in the juniors, so to play it at an even higher level is something I would be very honoured to do.”
As an added benefit, he might get to go toe-to-toe with his new housemate, Port Adelaide star forward Mitch Georgiades, who will likely feature for Western Australia.
“I live with Mitch Georgiades now and he should be a good sniff to make the WA team,” he said.
“We’ve already been asking whether we can get fined if we have a little go at each other even if we both play for the same team outside of Origin.
“I guess from another club Caleb Serong, I’ve got a good relationship with him and he’s been playing exceptional footy the last few years so we could do some damage together out there.”
Butters spent his Saturday at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide as part of Sportsbet’s Speedway, which offers country community groups, charities and on-course punters the chance to win a share of $100,000.
“It’s the final day of the Speedway today, they’ve got a few fun activities setup trackside and I’ll have a crack at racing some cars later and then get up there and watch some of the races,” Butters said.