Zak Butters has joined boyhood club the Bulldogs following a blockbuster five-team ‘mega deal’ that has shaken the AFL.
The three-time All Australian, 26, joins from Port Adelaide on a nine-year deal.
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“It’s felt like a long time coming to get to this point, but since I decided to commit to the Bulldogs, I have just wanted to get in the building as soon as possible and meet everyone,” Butters said.
“For me, I grew up looking up to the Bulldogs players and idolising them. To be in the position now to be that role model in the west that can hopefully inspire other kids to chase their dreams and play AFL, it is really special.
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“Growing up as a Bulldogs supporter and growing up in the west, my parents and family all still live in the area, it is a special place to me.
“I’ll be so excited to run out in front of our fans. For a few years I probably thought it was never going to be possible – to put the colours on for the team you grew up loving and supporting.
“I’m just super grateful. I’m sure the way I play with passion and energy – hopefully the fans will give that back.
“It’s an exciting stage for our football Club. Hopefully we can really challenge – you want to bring members and fans along for the ride and on the journey. You want them to be there for the wins and the losses. It could be something pretty special, you wouldn’t want to miss out.”
Butters was selected by Port Adelaide as No.12 pick in the 2019 AFL Draft and went on to play 156 games, kicking 73 goals.
As well as his All Australian credentials, he is also a three-time best and fairest winner.
The deal has been announced hours after a multifaceted agreement was completed between Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.
It sees the Bulldogs sign Finn Maginness from Hawthorn and Hudson O’Keeffe from Carlton, along with eight draft picks, in exchanging for Picks 13, 31 and their 2028 first-rounder.
The Power are claiming first-round picks from the Demons in 2027 and Dogs in 2028, and will split their No. 4 pick into No. 6 and No. 10.
Port Adelaide are also relinquishing nine picks.
Melbourne are ditching their No. 6 and No. 10 picks for No. 4 in November, and swapping their 2027 first-round pick for No. 12.
The Hawks’ reward for offloading Maginness is a third-round pick in 2027, while the Blues are getting a fourth-round pick in 2028 after letting O’Keeffe go.
The five-way trade has been described as a “mega deal” by AFL journalist Callum Twomey.
See the full breakdown below:
Port Adelaide
Receives: 6, 10, Melbourne’s 2027 1st, Western Bulldogs’ 2028 1st
Gives: 4, 46, 81, 2027 and 2028 2nds, 3rds and 4ths
Western Bulldogs
Receive: Finn Maginness, Hudson O’Keeffe, 81, 87, Port Adelaide’s 2027 and 2028 2nds, the Power’s 2028 3rd and 2027 4th, and Melbourne’s 2027 3rd and 4th
Give: 12, 31, 2028 1st
Melbourne
Receives: 4, 12, 31, 46
Gives: 6, 10, 87, 2027 1st and 3rd, 2028 4th
Hawthorn
Receives: Port’s 2027 3rd
Gives: Finn Maginness
Carlton
Receives: Port’s 2028 4th
Gives: Hudson O’Keeffe
Originally published as Zak Butters future confirmed as ‘mega deal’ sends shockwaves through AFL