Zak Butters free agency call, clubs interested, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Richmond, Collingwood, trade news, rumours, whispers, Essendon draft assistance package

The race for Zak Butters is starting to heat up. Plus, unpacking Essendon’s ‘complicated case’ for draft assistance.

In and Under delves into footy’s hottest topics, with insights from behind the scenes.

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RACE FOR FOOTY’S MOST PRIZED SIGNATURE

Richmond might have the best financial offer for Zak Butters. But that doesn’t necessarily make the Tigers the frontrunners for the most sought-after free agent in the game.

Here’s the lay of the land.

The Tigers have put a record offer to Butters worth as much as $18 million over eight years. That part is true.

The Western Bulldogs, who industry sources say are still the most likely landing spot, Geelong and Collingwood are also currently in the picture.

As Butters does his due diligence on his home for 2027 and beyond and considers a return to Victoria for family reasons, all four suitors have levels of appeal.

Playing for a big Melbourne club, like Richmond or Collingwood, and in front of big crowds is seen as something that could interest the 25-year old.

The Tigers, clearly, have a war chest, and a front-ended contract in the $18 million range shouldn’t be underestimated. Not to mention, Richmond’s budding young list that should only improve from here.

It’s worth noting that, if Butters does indeed decide to head home to Victoria, the 17th-placed Richmond has, in theory, the best draft assets to make a deal happen. Given Port is all but certain to match any offer he receives, as a restricted free agent, and force a trade.

The Tigers currently have Pick 2, and you’d expect the selections tied to them over the next couple of years will also be thereabouts. Though Tasmania is set to have a big dilution effect on future drafts (more on that later).

Collingwood is Collingwood and also has serious cash to splash after clearing its books in recent years. And it’s no coincidence that Nick Daicos was frequently seen with Victorian teammate Butters during State of Origin.

Imagine those two playing together for the next eight or so years…

The two west Victorian-based clubs, the Bulldogs and Cats, are closer to Butters’ hometown of Bacchus Marsh.

The star midfielder has a relationship with Marcus Bontempelli and there’s clearly romance around going to the club he grew up supporting. It’s believed the Dogs’ offer could be worth as much as $1.7 million per season.

And Geelong’s general track record — both in terms of its on-field success and ability to lure talent — speaks for itself. Plus, Chris Scott got a chance to woo Butters when he coached him in Origin.

A possible ace in the hole is Ken Hinkley and his potential next landing spot, having shared a close coach-player relationship with Butters.

Essendon pursued Hinkley in a senior football role after he left the Power. Though Hinkley, who’s believed to be close with Dean Solomon from their days at Gold Coast, said he “absolutely” won’t be considering the Bombers job until they make their mind up on James Hird.

Outside of Butters re-signing for two years and going to unrestricted free agency, the on-ball jet being open-minded about his second club would be the next best outcome for Port.

A move as big as this is set to extend to board level, like Essendon’s Zach Merrett trade saga last year.

Particularly given the Power are eying off a trio of highly-rated draft prospects linked to the club over the next two years.

Despite the draft changes, that make it harder than ever before for clubs to match bids and only enable them to use a maximum of two picks, a potential Butters trade shouldn’t affect the Power’s ability to land 2026 prospect Dougie Cochrane.

However, the compromised 2027 draft, which is most pressing given Port has highly-rated pair Zemes Pilot and Louis Salopek, is a different story due to Tassie.

For example, if Port traded Butters to a club that finishes inside the top six, its first-round pick in 2027 would drift into the 20s. So the idea of getting multiple first-round picks from a contender is more like one late first-rounder and early second-rounders.

In addition to the Power’s own 2027 pick moving back and the loss of Draft Value Index (DVI) points along with it.

Whereas, the team that finishes 18th is slated to have Pick 2 next year. The side that’s 17th is set to get Pick 4 and and third-last will get Pick 6. Those are the golden assets, and Port would ideally get in front of at least one of the Pilot/Salopek bids.

Even so, the Devils have a full monopoly of the draft including five top-10 picks and and the ability force clubs to pay top price for Academy and father-son players.

How much empathy Butters, who’s filled in as captain this season and bleeds Port Adelaide, has for the club and its capacity to be well compensated, also remains to be seen.

All that said, there’s still plenty of water to go under the bridge and much to play out between now and October as we await the most prized signature in footy.

The club of choice could be defining.

WHY BOMBERS’ AFL ASSISTANCE BID IS ‘COMPLICATED’

Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy has long endorsed struggling clubs getting assistance packages to help them climb back up the ladder.

But even he admits Essendon is a “complicated case” after it emerged that the Bombers had started talks with the AFL about extra list concessions.

Essendon has won just one if its past 25 games as the the club begins its search for a fourth coach this decade, facing the prospect of a second wooden spoon in 93 years.

But the Dons haven’t quite hit the lows of the last few clubs that received handouts from the league.

Most recently, West Coast was given help after 11 wins across four seasons from 2022-25.

North Melbourne received assistance after 12 wins from 84 games.

And before that, Gold Coast were supplemented after 19 wins over four years.

Whereas, Essendon won 11 games only two seasons ago in 2024 — a season the club sat in the top four as deep as Round 18 — and had a 6-4 record around 12 months ago before injuries hit hard.

Healy ultimately believes AFL footy boss Greg Swann and the league should come up with a structured formula that would automatically trigger assistance to battling clubs.

“Essendon is a bit of a complicated case,” Healy told foxfooty.com.au.

“Because of a bad run of injury and they’re a level above the last few clubs that have been given extra assistance. I don’t think they’re far off, but they’re certainly not at the Eagles, Kangaroos or Suns level just yet.

“I still think ‘Swanny’ should go to work on a method that allows the bottom clubs to get off the bottom more quickly than they are at the moment.

“Something built in, rather than this bulls*** of going to get the ‘special treatment’ from the Commission.

“Bottom line is it should be baked into the cake.”

Some have argued that the Bombers should’ve traded Zach Merrett last off-season if they wanted more draft picks.

But Healy thinks that’s an unfair stamp to put on the club.

“You could say that about every club, that you could trade away your best player and get draft picks,” the AFL great added.

“You could also argue North Melbourne should’ve given away LDU (Luke Davies-Uniacke) and gotten a few draft picks.

“You need some talent there to help young players come through.

“They may end up getting rid of Merrett and going for assistance at the same time. And if they get rid of Merrett, they’re going to need assistance.

“They’ve got a few other issues when senior players are talking about leaving. As James Hird said, the place lacks spirit and they’ve got to get some spirit and confidence back.”