Port Adelaide star Zak Butters speaks on his future ahead of pre-season return
There’s a view Zak Butters might have left Alberton during the trade period if Port was open to a move – but the AFL’s most in-demand free agent says otherwise. But what about next year?
Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters does not reckon he would have tried to leave the Power this past trade period, even if the club was open to a move.
“I don’t think so,” Butters said.
“With Carry (Josh Carr) taking over (as senior coach from Ken Hinkley), I’ve got a good relationship with him, so I want to be there to see that (unfold).
“My manager and I were in pretty open conversations throughout the year and both knew nothing was going to happen this year.
“Crippa (Port list boss Jason Cripps) has been awesome, there’s been open dialogue with him and Carry, so I feel like we were all on the same page.
“We’ve lost Boaky (Travis Boak) and a few other older boys, but Ollie Wines, Darcy Byrne-Jones, that crew, I’ve still got a lot of respect for and they’ve helped me immensely over the years.
“I feel like I still have a bit to pay and when you sign a contract, you sign a contract.”
Butters will be the most in-demand free agent in the AFL next season as a host of clubs in his home state of Victoria try to lure him.
The 25-year-old midfielder has resisted signing the long-term extension Port has tabled, deferring a decision on his future.
He is fresh from winning a third consecutive best-and-fairest, his second All-Australian blazer and groin surgery.
Butters said he had not thought much about how he would address his contract situation.
“Just coming back into training trying to get my body right is one thing I’m really focused on,” he said ahead of the Power’s senior players returning for pre-season on Tuesday.
“I’ve got a few things in the pecking order I want to get right before I start thinking bigger picture.
“It’s something I’ll address a little bit later on.”
Speculation about Butters ramped during the trade period despite him and the Power being adamant he would not switch clubs this year.
He was prepared for the increased scrutiny next season, pointing to St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as an example of someone who was able to handle it well.
“There’s many different ways to block it out,” he said.
“I think playing good footy and the team performance is one way.
“Nas last year handled himself incredibly well and played really good footy, and he ended up signing on.”
Butters said where he would be happiest would be a priority in his contract decision.
He hails from the western Victorian town of Bacchus Marsh and visits family, friends and his junior footy club, Darley, when he can.
“I feel like in my time in Adelaide I probably struggled a little bit early days when I first moved over and you’re 18, and don’t have too many connections,” he said.
“But I feel like at the club now I’ve got a lot of connections and friendships … and a great support network here.”
Butters was speaking at Morphettville Racecourse at Sportsbet’s Finals day.
He took part in a “Sportsbet Speedway”, which gave country community groups, charities and on-course punters the chance to win a share of $100,000 by racing remote control cars.
“There’s some good spots here to watch the racing from and plenty going on with Sportsbet, plenty of fun activities,” Butters said.
“I’m a little bit of a racing fan.
“A few of the boys are in a few syndicates so I definitely like jumping on and watching their horses race and in a social setting I don’t mind it as well.”
Entry to Saturday’s race meet was free.
Originally published as Port Adelaide star Zak Butters speaks on his future ahead of pre-season return
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