Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n The shock revelation comes after the Cats\u2019 season ended at the hands of Fremantle in Friday night\u2019s semi-final. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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\u2019 biggest-ever offseason recruit. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n The gargantuan contract is hence worth up to $18 million; the biggest that footy has seen. <\/p>\n The Dogs were reportedly informed of Butters\u2019 decision on Friday night. <\/p>\n According to SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n SEN\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n Morris described Khamis\u2019 recommittal this week as a \u201csignificant re-signing\u201d in the context of the Dogs\u2019 bid for Butters\u2019 signature. <\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n But as Morris reports, there\u2019s confidence on both sides that a deal can be agreed to amicably. <\/p>\n \u201cThe 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\u2019t be messy,\u201d he wrote on X. <\/p>\n However, an alternative avenue could still be a live option for the Alberton list bosses. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n When the Dogs on Saturday morning confirmed they\u2019d received official word on Butters\u2019 choice, they chose their words carefully. <\/p>\n \u201cThe club will work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period,\u201d part of their media release read. <\/p>\n AFL boss Greg Swann said recently<\/a> the league will \u201cscrutinise\u201d every deal this trade period following speculation about a unique Butters package. <\/p>\n \u201cAll the deals have got to stand up on their merit,\u201d Swann said on SEN earlier this month.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see what happens. If Zak goes and (Port) take the compensation pick and then there\u2019s a trade for another player or trades for picks, it\u2019s got to stand up. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll just monitor that and see what it looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n \u2018NOT HOW YOU TREAT THE COACH!\u2019: Inside Freo rooms after historic win… it wasn\u2019t all joy<\/a><\/p>\n CROWS LIST ANALYSIS: AFL contender missed their $10m man. Now comes a flag-defining trade call<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789184532_702_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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