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Why Port Adelaide won't 'convince' Butters to stay
SEN • November 11th, 2025 8:00 pm
Zak Butters’ future is set to dominate headlines over the course of 2026.
Approaching restricted free agency at the conclusion of the upcoming season, the 25-year-old superstar faces a career-defining decision, with the possibility of a Victorian homecoming well and truly on the cards.
Claiming three straight Port Adelaide best and fairest awards, two All-Australian blazers, an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year nod and back-to-back AFLPA Most Courageous awards all by 25, Butters won’t be short of suitors come the end of his current deal.That said, the Power will undoubtedly match any contract put in front of the star midfielder, forcing clubs into a trade if Butters’ wish is to leave Alberton, and according to former Power assistant coach Chad Cornes, Butters is leaning towards a Port Adelaide exit.While the club’s priority will remain a fluid transition into life under new coach Josh Carr, there is no doubting that the club will commence their pitch to Butters’ entourage regarding his future, and leading the charge will be the Power’s new head of football Ben Rutten.The Crows legend and former Essendon coach has no small task on his hands, however he believes that trying to sell the club to Butters is far from the method that he and the club will take.
“Zak’s a star player and a quality person for us,” Rutten told SEN SA Breakfast.
“We certainly want him and see him as a long-term player for us, and that’s going to be a priority for us.
“The best way I’ve seen retention work and attracting players to your footy club is to create the best program and create the best environment. It’s not necessarily about trying to convince people why to stay.
“Zak is in our four walls, and we will be able to create an environment where hopefully, he feels that he has to stay for his own development, and he can feel success...
“If any player ever wants to leave our club, it’s the hardest decision they will ever have to make. That’s going to be our focus.
“We would love Zak to be a long-term player for us, as with a lot of our players, but our focus will be on the program we are running and the environment, so that players don’t want to leave.”
All eyes will remain on Butters throughout 2026, as a transitional period awaits for Josh Carr's Port Adelaide.
