Trade talk: How Tigers could come “right into play” for ButtersBy SEN
17 July 2026The Zak Butters free agency decision is set to be a fascinating watch this off-season.
After the Port Adelaide superstar injured his ankle last weekend against St Kilda, he may have played his last game in teal and black, as most expect him to now return to his home state of Victoria this October.
While a raft of Victorian clubs have thrown their hat in the ring to recruit the 25-year-old, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong have emerged as favourites for the boy from Darley.
Another club that’s lurking is Richmond, who can offer the midfielder the best financial terms, although being at the bottom of a full rebuild would be a hard sell to any free agent.
Even if the Dogs or Cats loom as ideal destinations, the Tigers may be the only club in the race that could realistically satisfy the Power in a trade, with Port almost certain to match any bid on the restricted free agent.
With that in mind, SEN Breakfast’s Tom Morris and Sam Edmund discussed the machinations behind a potential deal, with Morris believing that the Tigers are right in the hunt should things go pear-shaped for the other contenders to end 2026.
Edmund: “The Zak Butters thing, isn't that fascinating?
“If it is the Dogs or Geelong, it doesn't really matter. What on earth are they going to give to satisfy Port? There’s nothing.
“There’s only one club that can satisfy Port Adelaide, and it's Richmond.”
Morris: “That's right, and Zak Butters would be aware of all that.
“But the Dogs would say, and so would Geelong, that Zak Butters is out of contract, so Port Adelaide don't have the whip hand.”
Edmund: “Port Adelaide don't have the whip hand, but they can match the deal.”
Morris: “They can match, and then it forces a trade. Then what do we do? The pre-season draft will be the threat. This is the game and the dance that the clubs play.”
Edmund: “But hey, a deal would get done, wouldn't it? A deal would get done.
“Let's workshop this then. If it is the Western Bulldogs, they'll have a decent first-round pick, but it'll only be one pick at this stage. That's why I think the Tim English stuff becomes an interesting conversation too.
“I think there's something there with Tim English, but gee, the Dogs can't be trading him without anything coming back the other way.
“Then the Zak Butters situation is difficult for Port Adelaide. How in any way can they be satisfied in a trade if he nominates the Western Bulldogs or Geelong?”
Morris: “Do you think Butters would want Port Adelaide to be compensated for his exit?”
Edmund: “I think so, but if it prevents him from getting to where he wants to go, surely that faith would only go so far, wouldn't it? I don't know, because I don't know Zak Butters, and he's never going to tell us anyway, is he?”
Morris: “I think if the Dogs and the Cats finish the season poorly and don't look like they're going to win a flag anytime soon, the Tigers come right into play more than they otherwise would.
“He wants to be successful, but if success isn't going to come at Geelong or the Dogs and it's obvious at the end of the year… that’s when the money that the Tigers are offering (comes in).”
Edmund: “But you’ve got to be an absolute visionary if you're seeing success at Richmond in the short term.”
Morris: “Yeah, but he helps them have success himself.”
Edmund: “He's only one guy. They're going to lose star players along the way. They’re going to lose senior players in the not-too-distant future, the Toby Nankervis of the world, so I don’t know.”
Morris: “All I know is Richmond is actually in it. They're in the hunt.”
As things stand, Geelong and the Bulldogs sit seventh and eighth respectively on the ladder, although the Dogs have one game in hand.
Richmond is currently 17th with just two wins and a league-worst percentage of 63.0.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2026/07/17/afl-2026-trade-talk-zak-butters-free-agency-decision-richmond-western-bulldogs-geelong
