TLDR
Port Adelaide declined to match the Western Bulldogs' restricted free agency offer for Zak Butters on 9 October 2026, triggering a five-club transaction that handed the Power picks 6 and 10 plus two future first-rounders as compensation.
Port Adelaide declines to match, Butters heads west
Zak Butters became a Western Bulldogs player on 9 October 2026 after Port Adelaide declined to match the Bulldogs' restricted free agency offer.[1] The AFL approved a five-club transaction on the same day, completing one of the more complex trade-period arrangements in recent memory.[1]
Restricted free agency in the AFL allows a player who has served eight seasons at their club and qualifies as a top-tier talent to offer their services to rival clubs, with the departing player's club receiving compensation picks calculated on age, salary and draft value when no match is made.
What Port Adelaide takes home
Under the five-club arrangement, Port Adelaide secured current picks 6 and 10 plus future first-round selections tied to Melbourne in 2027 and the Western Bulldogs in 2028.[2]
Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said: "Zak has been a significant part of our club since 2019 and we thank him for everything he has given to Port Adelaide. We respect Zak's decision and wish him well for the next chapter of his career."[4]
Five clubs, one transaction
The Western Bulldogs received Finn Maginness from Hawthorn and Hudson O'Keeffe from Carlton, along with picks 81 and 87 and multiple future mid-round selections, in exchange for picks 12, 31 and their 2028 first-round pick.[2] Melbourne and Carlton were the other clubs whose pick and player movements made the overall structure possible.
Western Bulldogs Player Acquisition and Strategy Manager Michael Regan said: "We are absolutely thrilled that a player of Zak's calibre has chosen to come home to the Western Bulldogs. He is a proud son of the west having dreamed of wearing red, white and blue since he was a boy and clearly has an exciting vision for our football Club as we continue to strive for sustained success."[3]
Butters on the move after eight seasons
Butters played 156 games and kicked 73 goals for Port Adelaide after being selected with pick 12 in the 2019 AFL Draft, and was named All Australian three times while winning three club best and fairest awards.[3] Butters signed a nine-year deal with the Bulldogs, tying him to the club through to at least the 2035 season.[3]
Butters said: "Growing 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. It's 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."[3]
Port Adelaide debuted Butters in 2019 after taking him at pick 12 in the 2018 national draft. His departure leaves Port with a substantially rebuilt draft hand heading into the 2026 national draft, with picks 6 and 10 among their current selections.[1]
KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOURCES & CITATIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
