Superstar free agent Zak Butters wants to play for the Western Bulldogs in 2027.
The departing Port Adelaide midfielder has nominated the Bulldogs as his preferred home, turning his back on serious overtures from Geelong and Richmond.
The offer from the Dogs is being called the biggest in AFL history, at $1.8-2 million a season over nine years.
Last night Butters, 26, celebrated with friends at recently retired champ Tom Liberatore’s pub in Seddon, not far from the Bulldogs’ home base at Whitten Oval.
“The Dogs were informed last night of Zak Butters’ intention to join them. Needless to say, they are ecstatic,” 7NEWS sports reporter Tom Morris said.
“Everything has been geared towards this: re-signing close friend Buku Khamis for five years, Tim English categorically staying, upping the deal. All to project.”
Butters is a triple club champion and three-time All Australian, and at the end of the season he told Port he’d be returning to his native Victoria next season.
Given his status as a restricted free agent, Port have the option of matching any bid and thereby forcing a trade.
So now the next move for those two clubs is to come to an arrangement.
Butters has been wrestling with the decision and only recently the Cats were considered slightly ahead in the race for his signature.
However, the Bulldogs were able to get their noses in front in a massive coup for the club.
All going well, the Bulldogs’ starting midfield in Round 1 next year could look like Tim English in the ruck, with champion skipper Marcus Bontemplli, Ed Richards and Butters at his feet, a salivating proposition for fans … and without a doubt the best in the competition.
“I’ve made the decision to head home. It’s one that I’ve wrestled with for a while now and it’s been quite tough to get to the bottom of it,” Butters said at the end of the season.
“It’s a tough decision, one that I haven’t taken lightly.
“I feel like although I’ve loved my time in Adelaide and everything the city and club has given to me, I’m probably at the time of my life where I’d like to get back around my family and friends and cherish more time with them.”
