Boom recruit Zak Butters says the Western Bulldogs are on the cusp of “something special”, and revealed he turned to Marcus Bontempelli for advice throughout the year before making his decision to head to the Whitten Oval.
Butters, 26, is officially a Bulldog on a record nine-year contract worth between $17 million and $17.5 million after the AFL on Friday approved a convoluted side deal involving five clubs and a series of first, second and later draft picks exchanged.
The Butters contract is the biggest in AFL history in total, though he will earn less than the $2 million per season St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has made.
“It’s good to make the decision and be here, and, yeah, I feel like it was a long time getting to this point,” Butters said.
“And a few people told me along the journey that when you know, you know. And I felt like, yeah, once I knew, I just wanted to get it done, and get here and meet everyone and start my next journey.”
Butters had already formed a friendship with Bontempelli, the Bulldogs’ skipper and legendary figure, which the club had felt was a factor in their favour in the intense competition for the midfield gun that also involved Richmond and Geelong.
“He’s obviously one that I am looking forward to playing with, and he’s been an inspiration of mine since I was a kid, and probably more so the more I got to know him, not just this year, but along the journey and playing against him,” Butters told the Bulldogs’ website.
“[I’m] trying to be the best, so you’re trying to learn off the best, and he’s he’s definitely one of them. So, over the last year as well, he’s just been a good sounding board and someone that you want to play footy with.
“I feel like, as much as I can add to the footy club, that I’ll learn a lot from him, and some other guys at the footy club as well. So, yeah, I’m really looking forward to learning and becoming better off guys like Marcus and Bevo [coach Luke Beveridge] as well.”
Butters grew up following the Dogs, his family residing in Darley on the western metropolitan fringe. He played for the Western Jets before being taken by the Power with the 12th pick of the 2018 national draft.
He said one of the highlights of his life had been attending the 2016 finals, when the Bulldogs unexpectedly stormed to their second club premiership.
“Yeah, I have loved the Bulldogs since I was a kid, had plenty of jumpers growing up, and loved a lot of different players. But, probably, 2016 is hard to top,” Butters said.
“I remember catching the train in from Bacchus Marsh, and watching the finals, and was lucky enough to sneak a few tickets through friends and family. And yeah, I remember catching the train home after the ’16 granny [grand final], and, obviously, catching the train back through the west to get to Bacchus Marsh, it was pretty chaotic and loud.
“It’s still one of my favourite days that I’ve had in footy. So it’d be cool to try and run that back.”
Butters said he wants to be role model for youth in the western suburbs, reinforcing that they, too, can reach the heights of elite football.
He failed to play in a grand final in his eight years with the Power, and wants that to change at his new club. The Dogs’ 2026 campaign ended with an elimination final defeat to Adelaide.
“It’s an exciting stage for the football club, and one that we can, hopefully, really challenge in,” Butters said.
“And you want to bring members and all that along for the ride, and bring them in on the journey, and you want them to be there for the wins and the losses, and come along for the ride with us. And I feel like it could be something pretty special.”
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
