Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination.
The Power confirmed that the club had been informed by Butters of his choice of club, the Dogs beating Geelong for his services provided they can secure him via free agency or a trade.
Port Adelaide will have to decide whether to match the massive, nine-year offer to Butters or force a trade. If they choose not to match, they will receive pick No.5 in the national draft – the selection after Port’s first pick.
Their early draft choices will be needed to match the likely bid at pick No.1 for their academy gun Dougie Cochrane.
Richmond and Collingwood had been the other clubs vying for Butters during this season. Butters, who hails from Darley near Bacchus Marsh, grew up as a Bulldogs fan.
The Bulldogs had recently increased their offer to Butters, which will likely be the biggest in AFL history.
Assuming they can navigate a trade or land the 26-year-old champion via free agency, the arrival of Butters will be a coup for the Bulldogs and their coach Luke Beveridge.
Of the many flow on effects from Butters’ call is that it might make it easier for Geelong to land St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall. The Cats are in the pole position to snare Toby Greene as an unrestricted free agent if he leaves the Giants.
Butters’ decision is a bombshell move that will drastically shape this year’s AFL trade period.
The Port Adelaide star ended months of speculation about this future late last month when he confirmed he was heading back to Victoria.
Butters told Port officials at his exit meeting that he would exercise his restricted free agency rights to join a Victorian team.
Butters’ decision ended at least 18 months of speculation about his playing future.
“I’ve made the decision to head home,” the 25-year-old said last month.
Jake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.Connect via X or email.