‘Trying to decide’: Butters on move after leaving Port
Steve Larkin |
Zak Butters says he still has a “little bit to play through” in deciding which Victorian club he’ll join after leaving Port Adelaide.
Butters has confirmed he’s departing Alberton as a restricted free agent, with Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Richmond making huge offers for the 25-year-old.
“Next steps, obviously a bit to play through in the next little bit with my manager and family, and trying to decide on what’s next for me,” Butters said in a video released by Port on Monday.
“And yeah, I’ll look to get that sorted in the next little bit.
“The club have been great throughout everything, so yeah, I’m sure they’ll work together and we’ll get something done.”
Butters’ move to Victoria had been flagged throughout the season, which for Port ended with a win over Essendon on Sunday.
The brilliant midfielder told Port’s hierarchy of his intentions on day one of exit meetings.
“It has been the toughest decision in my life and one that I haven’t taken lightly,” Butters said.
“I’ve loved my time in Adelaide and everything the city has given to me and the football club has given to me.”
Victorian-born Butters wanted to be closer to family and friends and “enjoy some more time with them and cherish their moments with them”.
“I’ll always be a Port Adelaide person. I’ll always value this club and what it’s done for me,” he said.
“So many special memories that I will take with me and hold with me forever.”
Port chief executive Matthew Richardson said the club was now “probably at the start, not the end” of trade negotiations.
“Zak is a restricted free agent. With that, the club does have some options,” Richardson told reporters.
“And our responsibility will be to be ensure that we get the absolute best outcome for Port Adelaide and our future.”
Port have pledged to match any bid for Butters, rather than accept pick five as free-agency compensation.
But Richardson was coy on whether the club wanted picks or players in a trade for Butters.
“We want to make sure we get the absolute best outcome for Port Adelaide and there’s plenty of mechanisms by which we can do that … and also, I guess the clubs that are courting Zak are going to need to be thinking about,” he said.
Drafted in 2019 via the Western Jets, Butters played 156 games for Port.
The 2023 AFL Coaches Association’s player of the year has twice been voted the league’s most courageous player.
Butters had been Port’s acting captain this year in the absence of Connor Rozee and consistently maintained he wouldn’t make any move known until season’s end.
His late injury, which cost him the last six games, is unlikely to stop him earning a third All-Australian jumper when the ceremonial team is announced on Tuesday night.
AAP