Trade talk, rumours & innuendo 2026

[Francois Jackson]

If Butters requests Geelong we should bid on Cochrane and Walker. Stuff both clubs.

No idea htf Geelong would get it done.

We won't need to mate. Dons will bid on one and we will bid on the other (walker)

We can only get max 1 extra compo each.

Cats well they do have players which everyone seems to ignore. We don't. I also think the loyalty crap is overrated. Once the season is over it's everyone for themselves.

Let's see how it plays out, but you can put your whole savings on the line that the cats won't receive any draft penalty for that concussion  fiasco. 

[Andyy]

Hmmm dunno FJ. Clubs with P1 have a tendency to take another player, rather than bid. It's literally happened once only - 2020 with JUH.

Some sort of sentiment/prestige about making their player #1.

I would bid on both just to hurt their draft hands, myself, compo or not.

And yes I agree re: Kolojazznig and his concussion stuff haha. They'll be investigated and cleared of wrongdoing etc

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I have thought long and hard about this off season which I believe will be the most important for the club since 2016.
On the one hand, we kinda cannot lose - lose out on Butters and we can concentrate on another lot of draft picks - 2,20,21 will most likely spit out some handy players plus Tanner Armstrong.
On the other hand, picking up Butters, Hogan and Briggs instantly improves our team and, coupled with a proper high performance person gives us an improved availability of players going into next year.

That puts the spotlight on the coach which is where the spotlight belongs (also the ceo who pops up like a sprinkler head but disappears just as quickly).

I have enjoyed Oozes reign at times - the ball movement has been ok when opposition are ordinary or playing well below are best.

The reality is we are miles behind the rest of the competition right now and need a circuit breaker which can only be in the recruiting.

If that doesn’t come off perhaps we need to rip off the Yze bandaid and try to get a real coach like Longmire or Simpson.

[Tiger Khosh]

Recycled coaches aren’t the answer, there have been numerous examples of that. Unless it’s as a stop gap to get us through the trenches for a few years but no1 will come on for that role.

[one-eyed]

It's official – Zak Butters has informed Port Adelaide he will be exercising his free agency rights to return to Victoria.
 
He hasn't nominated a preferred club amid record offers from Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Collingwood.

- Callum Twomey

https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/2091730721807466924

[one-eyed]

In a video statement, Butters said he felt it was time for him to move back to Victoria to spend more time with his family and friends after eight years in South Australia.

"Although I've loved my time in Adelaide and everything the city's given to me and the football club's given to me, I feel like I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back around some family and friends and enjoy some more time with them and cherish their moments with them," he said.

He thanked his coaches, teammates and the broader club for taking a chance on "a skinny kid from Darley that had no shoulders".

"I'll always be a Port Adelaide person. I'll always value this club and what it's done for me," he said.

Butters has not yet nominated a club, with Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Collingwood all chasing his services across this year.

All have made club-record offers to Butters, with his move to a rival as hotly contested as any of the major trade moves this century, including Chris Judd's trade from West Coast to Carlton at the end of 2007.

As a restricted free agent, Port can match a bid on Butters and strike a trade. The Power have been adamant they would take that path with the superstar midfielder rather than accept a free agency compensation pick – which would be pick No.5 – under the free agency model.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1594878/zak-butters-informs-port-adelaide-of-free-agency-call-as-victorian-clubs-circle

[one-eyed]

Club statement: Zak Butters

By portadelaidefc.com.au
Aug 24, 2026, 1:50 pm

Port Adelaide has been informed by Zak Butters and his management that he intends to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent and explore a return home to Victoria.

Zak has been an outstanding servant to the football club since debuting in 2019. He is a three-time John Cahill Medallist and dual All-Australian and we thank him for everything he has given to Port Adelaide.

The club will now work to facilitate the best outcome for Port Adelaide through this process.

https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2111472/

[one-eyed]

Zak Butters on his decision to return to Victoria, via Port Adelaide.

VIDEO: https://x.com/DavidZita1/status/2091741727078175095

[the claw]

Hmmm dunno FJ. Clubs with P1 have a tendency to take another player, rather than bid. It's literally happened once only - 2020 with JUH.

Some sort of sentiment/prestige about making their player #1.

I would bid on both just to hurt their draft hands, myself, compo or not.

And yes I agree re: Kolojazznig and his concussion stuff haha. They'll be investigated and cleared of wrongdoing etc

Its a cost to the player you draft if you want to put it that way. If you bid at 1 and the club matches,  the player you take does not get the money etc and yes prestige even of being taken there.

[Francois Jackson]

Hmmm dunno FJ. Clubs with P1 have a tendency to take another player, rather than bid. It's literally happened once only - 2020 with JUH.

Some sort of sentiment/prestige about making their player #1.

I would bid on both just to hurt their draft hands, myself, compo or not.

And yes I agree re: Kolojazznig and his concussion stuff haha. They'll be investigated and cleared of wrongdoing etc

Other years are different mate. The extra pick at the end of R1 is incentive to bid on Cochran or walker.

Members would throw another load of manure if they let that pick go.

[Damo]

Hmmm dunno FJ. Clubs with P1 have a tendency to take another player, rather than bid. It's literally happened once only - 2020 with JUH.

Some sort of sentiment/prestige about making their player #1.

I would bid on both just to hurt their draft hands, myself, compo or not.

And yes I agree re: Kolojazznig and his concussion stuff haha. They'll be investigated and cleared of wrongdoing etc

Other years are different mate. The extra pick at the end of R1 is incentive to bid on Cochran or walker.

Members would throw another load of manure if they let that pick go.

Agree FJ
New year and new rules

If Essendon doesn’t bid on Cochrane, they should close the club down for incompetence.

[the claw]

If Butters requests Geelong we should bid on Cochrane and Walker. Stuff both clubs.

No idea htf Geelong would get it done.

Essendon have pick 1 they will bid on Cochrane he is the best player in the draft.
They dont owe us a thing i think if they go on rankings then Walker will be bid on by them.
They need a ruckman badly and i think HV-H will go at pick 3. If not HV-H then i think Drever is only behind the first two.

Sheesh i will be peeed off if this happens. If Drever goes to Essendon then i think we will take HV-H.

[Tiger Khosh]

Pies ruled out. Down to us, doggies and cats.

[one-eyed]

Pies ruled out. Down to us, doggies and cats.

It leaves Geelong, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs all chasing the three-time best and fairest winner.

Butters is favouring the Cats but all clubs are conscious of how a trade gets done, with his management not yet committing to one club as they look through the options to make a deal happen.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1594973

[Andyy]

Agree on all points.

So it may look like:
1. Cochrane (Port matched bid)
2. HVH (Dons)
3. Walker (Carlscum matched bid)
4. Drever (Tiges)

I'd be OK with this.

Hit the draft if Butters wants the quiet life at TPPcheat-long.