‘Fair way behind’: Tigers great questions club’s Butters chase as superstar free agent torn on callBen Cotton
Fox Sports
July 26th, 2026 Richmond great Jack Riewoldt thinks his former club “would have to be a fair way behind” in the Zak Butters race after a horror stretch as the superstar free agent mulls over a “lineball call” on his future.
The 18th-placed Tigers fell to the Western Bulldogs 57 points on Saturday night as two of the clubs, along with Geelong and Collingwood, in the Butters sweepstakes.
The loss saw Richmond coach Adem Yze’s record fall to 9-56 — the worst record of any coach after 65 game — while the rebuilding Tigers grapple with a brutal injury toll.
While the Bulldogs are thought to be the frontrunners for Butters, reports state Richmond has the biggest offer on the table in a mammoth deal that could be worth as a much as $18 million over eight years.
However, it’s understood the main priority for Butters, 25, aside from wanting to return his home state of Victoria, is to chase success.
With that in mind, Riewoldt suggested the Tigers, even with a young list that has plenty of talent, would have to be last in line of the suitors.
“If Zak Butters is looking to win a premiership, you’d think Richmond would have to be a fair way behind,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.
“Certainly the other three teams you flagged in that premiership cycle.
“They’re still a long away from contending.”
Meanwhile, Kangaroos legend David King questioned how much the coaches in charge of each contender could impact Butters’ decision.
Luke Beveridge’s deal runs until the end of 2027, while Yze is contracted through 2028.
“Specifically to Richmond. Do you think the fact Adem Yze is doing what he’s doing with this team and it hasn’t been revolutionary by any stretch?,” King posed.
“Do you think that would impact his decision enough to step away from the finances on offer?”
Butters, originally from Melbourne’s western suburbs, is believed to have good relationships at the Dogs including developing a bond with skipper Marcus Bontempelli during State of Origin.
The Cats might have the full package given they’re also located out west and are “so stable” with the “culture and never-ending premiership window,” as put by chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark.
And you still can’t rule out the Nick Daicios-led Magpies as the most recent of these clubs to win silverware and after an impressive surge from Craig McRae’s side with six-straight wins.
It’s understood Butters, who’s racing the clock to get back this season with a syndesmosis injury, will ultimately pick the club he thinks has the best chance at winning a flag.
“The Bulldogs on the absolute starting line. Richmond has more money on offer at the moment, and he’ll be looking at these results,”, Clark said on Fox Footy.
“He’ll be trying to project forward to see which of these clubs is closer to a premiership.
“I think the number one factor for Zak Butters will be where he can have team success and which trajectory he likes the most.
“He’s going to be well paid wherever he goes. The culture of the club will have to appeal, the people running the club will have to appeal, and he’ll want stability, clearly.
“I think Bevo’s in the last year of his contract next year. So, it’s a big year for a lot of these clubs.
“I think this is as tight, as lineball free agency call as we’ve seen in some time. It’s a big decision for Zak Butters in what would be a an eight to nine-year contract call.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2026-zak-butters-trade-news-rumours-whispers-free-agency-call-jack-riewoldt-says-richmond-a-fair-way-behind-western-bulldogs-geelong-collingwood/news-story/c6496b2c7e119138a915928dac09a31a
