Restricted Free Agent Zak Butters

[Traveling_Power]

So you'd get like 4 years from both. In positions you're desperate in.

Not saying it's a game changer, nor am i saying that geelong, nor the players themselves, would entertain move. I'm just of the opinion that either one of them would be worth more than Barker, Polk, and Molier combined.

we are not as desperate as you think

Close as a HFF has only kicked 15 to 26 goals in the last few years ... (our players currently have done that). So, he is excess to requirements for us especially when SPP is back.

Stengle is interesting as a HFF / FP he has kicked - 27 to 53 Goals in the last few years, but currently I am waiting to see how our 3 small forwards go - Durdin (with no Voss holding him back) Richards and Berry with another year under their belt.

Now Baker being a Mid / Wing might be of an interest as Molier could be being a ruckman

 

[CatToTheFuture]

we are not as desperate as you think

Close as a HFF has only kicked 15 to 26 goals in the last few years ... (our players currently have done that). So, he is excess to requirements for us especially when SPP is back.

Stengle is interesting as a HFF / FP he has kicked - 27 to 53 Goals in the last few years, but currently I am waiting to see how our 3 small forwards go - Durdin (with no Voss holding him back) Richards and Berry with another year under their belt.

Now Baker being a Mid / Wing might be of an interest as Molier could be being a ruckman

I honestly think small forward is your only real gap. Close isn't kicking goals much and has his critics, but he's the 4th best of the 4 small forward/HH. He's got far less oppprtunity to impact in game. It's a bit of a unique problem to geelong and you can see he impacted much more when it was just him Stengle and Miers.

Bit off topic here, and it's purely academic, but i think he'd do very well at Port.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Ill throw one out of the blue and say Butters goes to Tasmania.

Think they will just give him absurd money and he takes it

Not sure he'd be keen to play VFL in 27.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Not sure he'd be keen to play VFL in 27.

I’m saying he signs on with Port until Tasmania is in the competition. I reckon he could easily make 10 mill extra if he plays his cards right once you factor in the sign on bonuses plus a likely 1 mill plus per year then other clubs like Bulldogs can offer

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

I’m saying he signs on with Port until Tasmania is in the competition. I reckon he could easily make 10 mill extra if he plays his cards right once you factor in the sign on bonuses plus a likely 1 mill plus per year then other clubs like Bulldogs can offer

That would be Ports best option compensation wise.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

we are not as desperate as you think

Close as a HFF has only kicked 15 to 26 goals in the last few years ... (our players currently have done that). So, he is excess to requirements for us especially when SPP is back.

Stengle is interesting as a HFF / FP he has kicked - 27 to 53 Goals in the last few years, but currently I am waiting to see how our 3 small forwards go - Durdin (with no Voss holding him back) Richards and Berry with another year under their belt.

Now Baker being a Mid / Wing might be of an interest as Molier could be being a ruckman

Close plays a very specific defensive fwd role (and is good at it) to allow miers in particular as well as mannagh to push up to outnumber at stoppages and then slingshot. In a different role he would have no troubles kicking 30-40 a year or more. Personally I think he would upgrade for example someone like Joe Richardson who you brought in.

Stengle is class thats unquestionable (its all about the off field with him) but i can see the method about wanting to see how Berry goes.
That said its probably academic as I doubt either stengle or close will be desperate to go-i agree barker or molier would be more realistic.

 

[Traveling_Power]

Close plays a very specific defensive fwd role (and is good at it) to allow miers in particular as well as mannagh to push up to outnumber at stoppages and then slingshot. In a different role he would have no troubles kicking 30-40 a year or more. Personally I think he would upgrade for example someone like Joe Richardson who you brought in.

Stengle is class thats unquestionable (its all about the off field with him) but i can see the method about wanting to see how Berry goes.
That said its probably academic as I doubt either stengle or close will be desperate to go-i agree barker or molier would be more realistic.

Our main Defensive Forward player is SPP - who is coming back after injury in 2026 ... (we were without him for most of 2025). So that is another reason why we wouldn't want Close (we have previously tired 2 Defensive small forwards which didn't work for us).

As for Richards who we got after playing only 9 AFL games at Collingwood, he did quite well in 2025 playing 20+ games as a connecting small forward etc. I do think he will connect well with Durdin when they are both in the team (I believe Carlton / Vossy played Durdin wrong & he will surprise a lot of people in 2026). But another 20+ games in 2026 for Richards will be interesting to see.

Besides Berry getting games, I am also looking forward to seeing how Moraes, Mackinlay & T Cochrane (Dougie's brother) do in 2026 as they continue to get games under their belt.

For the Cats -
Harley Baker - I think would be willing to put his hand up to be traded to Port (according to Rookie me central before being drafted to the cats he supported Port).
The main problem that the cats would face in any trade is their projected 1st round picks for the next 3 years (2026 - 2028) are expected to be very low (possibly pick 16 in 2026, - pick 24 in 2027 & pick 16 in 2028) which will be pushed out further due to FA, Compo & Academy picks

 

[schmuttt]

Correct.

Talks are well progressed. I got no skin in the game but very reliable source.

Same. He is a lock to at the minimum nominate the Dogs.

 

[tombomb]

Tasmanian stuff is nonsense imo.

If it just a money thing, he will get plenty of it to stay with Port.

They aren't even in the competition for two more seasons.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Our main Defensive Forward player is SPP - who is coming back after injury in 2026 ... (we were without him for most of 2025). So that is another reason why we wouldn't want Close (we have previously tired 2 Defensive small forwards which didn't work for us).

As for Richards who we got after playing only 9 AFL games at Collingwood, he did quite well in 2025 playing 20+ games as a connecting small forward etc. I do think he will connect well with Durdin when they are both in the team (I believe Carlton / Vossy played Durdin wrong & he will surprise a lot of people in 2026). But another 20+ games in 2026 for Richards will be interesting to see.

Besides Berry getting games, I am also looking forward to seeing how Moraes, Mackinlay & T Cochrane (Dougie's brother) do in 2026 as they continue to get games under their belt.

For the Cats -
Harley Baker - I think would be willing to put his hand up to be traded to Port (according to Rookie me central before being drafted to the cats he supported Port).
The main problem that the cats would face in any trade is their projected 1st round picks for the next 3 years (2026 - 2028) are expected to be very low (possibly pick 16 in 2026, - pick 24 in 2027 & pick 16 in 2028) which will be pushed out further due to FA, Compo & Academy picks

I get where you are coming from on SPP although I would argue him and close are very different players-SPP predominantly a marking defensive forward and close while being a good defensive player is a smaller link player and is good by foot. I would argue theres room for both but I get where you are coming from.

I didnt know barker was a port supporter but yes it wouldn't surprise me if him or molier or polkinghorne for that matter were willing to head back. Id like to keep them but not lose sleep over trading them.
On the late r1 picks it will be interesting as I dont see butters picking a bottom 8 Vic club (what would be the point of moving for that) so whichever club he picks is likely to have late r1s. 3 r1s and a young fringe player-regardless of which club youre trading with-might be the best thats offered.
I could suggest big names but those player for player trades rarely seem to happen these days.

 

[GoRoos2023]

If he leaves, it will be the Cats or the Hawks.

He isn’t going to a have not club if he is on the move.

He will be at the Dogs.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

I am not sure it is out of the question that if Port have a poor year, they consider just taking the compo pick.

depends where the destination club finishes.

Hypothetically, if its the dogs and they finish top 4 and (we expect to continue making top 4), port will have the option of

A: pick 15-17 2026, pick 25-30 2027 plus pick 15-20 in 2028
or
B: Pick 5-6 as compensation

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Yes it does

They force the other team to pay way overs to even get a chance and hold the cards on how the trade plays out
even with a player like Merrett & Petracca we seen 3 x 1st rounder plus some

Butters is going to be very very expensive for which ever team he decides to go to

pretty funny how this argument changes over time. When Dangerfield was the first player to have a bid matched geelong fans swore that being an RFA meant that he should be a cheaper than a regular uncontracted player.


Butters will bes expensive because he's a star, not because he's an RFA

 

[tombomb]

depends where the destination club finishes.

Hypothetically, if its the dogs and they finish top 4 and (we expect to continue making top 4), port will have the option of

A: pick 15-17 2026, pick 25-30 2027 plus pick 15-20 in 2028
or
B: Pick 5-6 as compensation

I am sure Port would demand a player on top of that, and not just a fringe player, throw-in. They can only demand so much though, it's not like he is going back to Port if he chooses to leave.

Obviously it all depends on ladder positions. Port might be competing for the 8 next year, and then obviously they aren't going to accept pick 10+ as compensation.

But if, and it is a huge if, they don't have a good year, and they do have the option of accepting a top 5 pick as compensation, then I think they will look at it.

There are lots of things they could do with a pick that valuable if they didn't want it used on a academy bid.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

I am sure Port would demand a player on top of that, and not just a fringe player, throw-in. They can only demand so much though, it's not like he is going back to Port if he chooses to leave.

Obviously it all depends on ladder positions. Port might be competing for the 8 next year, and then obviously they aren't going to accept pick 10+ as compensation.

But if, and it is a huge if, they don't have a good year, and they do have the option of accepting a top 5 pick as compensation, then I think they will look at it.

There are lots of things they could do with a pick that valuable if they didn't want it used on a academy bid.

that only works if a non fringe player wants to go there

 

[The Inbetweener]

The precedence for a gun restricted free agent was set with Jeremy Cameron - 3 x 1st and get some 2nds back. Unless I’m missing something you’d expect it to be about the same for Zac if he goes?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

The precedence for a gun restricted free agent was set with Jeremy Cameron - 3 x 1st and get some 2nds back. Unless I’m missing something you’d expect it to be about the same for Zac if he goes?

Probably similar although I would expect port would want higher r1s than gws got.

 

[cecil]

Probably similar although I would expect port would want higher r1s than gws got.

They definitely would, but 90% of the time the basis for a deal relies on the nominated team having those picks.

 

[Crow till I die]

They definitely would, but 90% of the time the basis for a deal relies on the nominated team having those picks.

Don't rule out should Butters request a trade and port make sure they match to force a trade, that port have history of involving other clubs to get their desired outcome. If its the Dogs and they don't have the top end picks port are after, they might look to or request the dogs to involve a 3rd and maybe 4th party to farm pick around, players etc until they get a deal tat works for them. They are generally quite proactive on that front.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

He will be at the Dogs.

I think so too as every man and his dog has heard that he wants to be back in Darly, but I’m told that when a Hawks player jokingly asked him mid-game in our encounter last year what number he wanted, he replied with “(I’ll be in)hoops, mate”.

I wouldn’t rule out the Cats just yet.

 

[Bald]

I think so too as every man and his dog has heard that he wants to be back in Darly, but I’m told that when a Hawks player jokingly asked him mid-game in our encounter last year what number he wanted, he replied with “(I’ll be in)hoops, mate”.

I wouldn’t rule out the Cats just yet.

Thank god our guernsey has hoops too!

It's either Dogs or Cats though it seems.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

I think he ends up at WBD , Port won't go without a good fight though
I think they will end matching and force a trade, as that will be better than compo

Heard strong rumours Sanders could be Crows bound , so that is another 1st rounder added to the WBD trade collateral

 

[Mr Meow]

we are not as desperate as you think

Close as a HFF has only kicked 15 to 26 goals in the last few years ... (our players currently have done that). So, he is excess to requirements for us especially when SPP is back.

Stengle is interesting as a HFF / FP he has kicked - 27 to 53 Goals in the last few years, but currently I am waiting to see how our 3 small forwards go - Durdin (with no Voss holding him back) Richards and Berry with another year under their belt.

Now Baker being a Mid / Wing might be of an interest as Molier could be being a ruckman

Close is more of a goal assist specialist - almost 100 over the past 4 seasons. He'd feed Georg and co all day. He's probably Cameron's favourite teammate.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think he ends up at WBD , Port won't go without a good fight though
I think they will end matching and force a trade, as that will be better than compo

Heard strong rumours Sanders could be Crows bound , so that is another 1st rounder added to the WBD trade collateral

Sanders would be tasmania surely.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Sanders would be tasmania surely.

1 year gap between OOC and Tas coming in, no way he re-signs for 1 year at WBD , they wont even know the compo they would get so better off trading him for a 1st rounder now and form as part of package for Butters

Rumours from trade week were accurate , Adelaide were into him and he was keen on the move
WBD wanted Mark Keane so Adelaide shut it down for now

Ryley's brother Oliver plays for Norwood in SANFL , and heard the parents are looking at relocating to SA

Get mail from a decent source so it is certainly an option on the table

He would walk into the Crows midfield and they were really keen on him in his draft year