Zak Butters trade: Power coach Ken Hinkley on if vice-captain will seek move back to Victoria

Power coach Ken Hinkley has spoken about Zak Butters’ ‘really, really strong’ connection to Port Adelaide after reports the star will seek a return to Victoria come season’s end.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is confident superstar Zak Butters will remain at the club long-term.

Butters is contracted until the end of 2026 but speculation has suggested he may consider a move home to Victoria at season’s end.

Hinkley said he had not spoken specifically to the 24-year-old about his long-term future because he knew how he felt about being at Port Adelaide.

The coach was optimistic the Power’s vice-captain and winner of its past two best-and-fairests

would stay beyond this contract.

Zak Butters at training on Tuesday. Picture. Roy VanDerVegt

“I see the way he plays, the way he acts, his connection to this footy club is really, really strong,” Hinkley said.

“Zak’s got great relationships in this whole footy team.

“He’s a pretty important piece to this footy club”.

Butters staked his selection claims for an early return from pre-season knee surgery by getting through Tuesday’s training.

Listed last week in the club’s injury report as being at least a fortnight away, Butters moved well and took part in the match simulation.

The midfielder will be tested again during Thursday’s session.

“We’re optimistic that he’s getting close,” Hinkley said.

“Whether that’s this Sunday or not, we’ll wait and see.

“If Zak plays, he’ll be more than ready.”

Hinkley planned to step back from list management discussions during his last season at Alberton this year before his handover to senior assistant Josh Carr.

But the veteran coach hoped to still play a part in “guiding, helping and making sure we make good decisions for our future”

Hinkley did not think players who wanted to seek other opportunities needed to inform clubs.

“I think the landscape’s changing,” he said.

“There’s conversations going on with managers and players – not just our players, but everywhere in the comp.

“When they reach certain stages of their career, players will have conversations that will be a lot more open and I think it’s OK for the game.

“My personal view is most players stay at their footy club.”

Hinkley also felt the AFL was not close to ready for clubs to make mid-year announcements that players were switching teams at season’s end, like in the NRL.

“We’re not that industry that wants to put it out there just yet,” he said.

“I’m not sure if it’s good or bad because I’ve not experienced it.

“It’s like any change, you have to see the change, then live with it a little bit, then you’ll form a better and more informed opinion.”

Originally published as Zak Butters trade: Power coach Ken Hinkley on if vice-captain will seek move back to Victoria