The Western Bulldogs got their man, luring star midfielder Zak Butters ahead of rivals Geelong and Richmond, who were also in a race that went down to the wire.
The Cats were reportedly favourites to land the 26-year-old, until the Dogs upped their offer by as much as $3m to a total of $18m over nine years.
Zak Butters is named in the All-Australian team for 2026. AFL Photos via Getty Images
However, this has led to some questioning whether the Bulldogs have overpaid for Butters and whether it may come back to haunt them.
Not only will they have to pay the midfielder effectively 11 per cent of their entire salary cap, but they will also have to trade multiple first round picks to Port Adelaide to get the deal done.
Former Power midfielder Kane Cornes is particularly worried about the Bulldogs’ all-in move.
“So Zak Butters’ motivation has been nothing about winning or premierships, it’s been money? Geelong are in front in August, the Bulldogs come back with an additional $3m, and that changed his mind, so his motivation was money?” Cornes asked on SEN on Monday.
“They’re going to pay him about 11 per cent of their salary cap in a team that has 44 players. Have they got way too desperate here? I think they’ve overpaid. Eleven per cent of your salary cap on one player for nine years.
“This is not Lance Franklin, this is Zak Butters. He’s a great player, he’s a top five player in the league, but he’s not Franklin.
“Are you comfortable with paying him $2m a year for nine years?
“That means you’re not going to have depth on your list. You can’t pay everyone. There’s a flow-on effect to this.
“I think it’s an over-spend, it’s a bit of desperation, it’s too much.
“You’re not getting him for nothing… They’re going to have to satisfy Port Adelaide in a trade.”
Butters will join St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and West Coast’s Harley Reid as the first AFL players in the $2m per season club.
Former Adelaide star Josh Jenkins is also concerned about the Bulldogs’ move, saying they lack quality around the ground outside the midfield, something this Butters splash won’t fix.
“This ain’t basketball,” Jenkins told SEN on Sunday.
“If you want to send out five against 23, good luck to you.
“Every team is going to take Zak Butters. That’s why Richmond were keen on him, because he’s a superstar and if you can get your hands on him, you absolutely get your hands on him.
“But I still think the Dogs have got to build from the bottom up.
“The top end, no problem, absolutely magic. When you see them line up next year in round one and it’s Butters, Richards and Bontempelli walking to the centre bounce, you are going to be terrified.
“But who’s at half back? Who’s at half forward? Who’s in the back pocket? Who’s playing key back? Who’s playing in the ruck? All those parts are going to be important as well.”
The AFL’s trade period will begin on October 5. Butters is a restricted free agent, however Port Adelaide has made it clear they will match the $18m offer and force the Bulldogs to the trade table.