Ben King and Zak Butters have landed at their preferred destinations.<\/p>\n
Both Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide opted against matching Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs\u2019 lucrative contract offers for King and Butters.<\/p>\n
The Suns will receive pick seven and the Power will receive pick five as first-round compensation.<\/p>\n
King played 143 games and kicked 315 goals for the Suns across six seasons in the Sunshine State.<\/p>\n
Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said King was \u201cone of the AFL\u2019s premier key forwards\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome Ben to Hawthorn, he\u2019s a massive addition to what we are building towards as a club,\u201d McKenzie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver a number of seasons, Ben has proven himself to be one of the AFL\u2019s premier key forwards, consistently hitting the scoreboard as a tall target in attack with elite accuracy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 26, Ben joins the Hawks at the peak of his powers with his strong attributes further enhancing what our exciting forward line looks like in 2027 and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile Ben is clearly a highly talented individual, he\u2019s also a person of high character who we know will make an immediate impact within our program.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hawks have already added Zach Merrett from Essendon but look likely to lose Aidan Schubert and Sam Butler to the Suns.<\/p>\n
Butters, meanwhile, played 156 games at Port Adelaide, winning three best and fairests and donning three All Australian blazers.<\/p>\n
But he now join Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in the Doggies\u2019 midfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d Butters said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll 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 \u2013 to put the colours on for the team you grew up loving and supporting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just super grateful. I\u2019m sure the way I play with passion and energy \u2013 hopefully the fans will give that back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting stage for our football Club. Hopefully we can really challenge \u2013 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\u2019t want to miss out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Western Bulldogs were earlier involved in a five-club trade that opened the door for Butters.<\/p>\n
THE MONSTER TRADE<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
GET: Picks 6, 10, 2027 Rd 1 (tied to Melbourne), 2028 Rd 1 (tied to Western Bulldogs)<\/p>\n
GIVE: Picks 4, 46, 81, 2027 Rd 2, 2027 Rd 3, 2027 Rd 4, 2028 Rd 2, 2028 Rd 3, 2028 Rd 4<\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
GET: Finn Maginness, Hudson O\u2019Keeffe, picks 81, 87, 2027 Rd 2 (tied to Port Adelaide), 2027 Rd 3 (tied to Melbourne), 2027 Rd 4 (tied to Port Adelaide), 2028 Rd 2 (tied to Port Adelaide), 2028 Rd 3 (tied to Port Adelaide), 2028 Rd 4 (tied to Melbourne)<\/p>\n
GIVE: Picks 12, 31, 2028 Rd 1<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
GET: Picks 4, 12, 31, 46<\/p>\n
GIVE: Picks 6, 10, 87, 2027 Rd 1, 2027 Rd 3, 2028 Rd 4<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
GET: 2027 Rd 3 (tied to Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n
GIVE: Finn Maginness<\/p>\n
CARLTON<\/p>\n
GET: 2028 Rd 4 (tied to Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n
GIVE: Hudson O\u2019Keeffe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ben King and Zak Butters have landed at their preferred destinations. 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