Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has firmly shut down speculation regarding an early announcement of his free agency plans. Speaking to reporters in Adelaide ahead of Saturday’s Showdown, the 25-year-old restricted free agent reiterated that he will wait until the conclusion of the season to finalize his future.
Addressing the growing debate over whether AFL players should follow the NRL model of announcing contract moves mid-season, Butters expressed caution. “I just don’t think it’s the right way to go about it,” he stated. “The league’s probably not quite ready for it. If you look at the NRL and the chaos it causes with contracts and player movement, I’d tend to stay away from it.” When asked directly if he would reveal his decision now if he had already made up his mind, Butters replied: “Correct.”
Butters remains one of the most sought-after players in the league, with the Western Bulldogs reportedly leading the pursuit. Other clubs, including Geelong, Collingwood, and Richmond—the latter reportedly offering an $18 million, eight-year deal—are also vying for his signature.
The comments have fueled a broader industry debate. On Fox Footy’s AFL 360, host Gerard Whateley argued that the AFL industry lacks the maturity to handle such announcements without creating toxic environments for players, while Garry Lyon countered that fans would likely support players regardless of their future intentions. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has also previously voiced opposition to the NRL-style movement model, suggesting that such transparency could lead to emotional and professional complications for clubs.