PORT Adelaide’s Zak Butters will put footy over family when deciding his long-term future at season’s end.
Butters is under contract at Port until the end of the 2026 season but the Power and their rivals have already tabled multi-million dollar offers.
The Victorian-born dynamo, who has won the Power’s past two club champion awards, will weigh his options at the end of the season.
“I will go back and have a good think about it in the off-season,” Butters told reporters on Wednesday.
“When I probably get to sit down and actually think about things a bit more and you’re not in the hustle and bustle of footy and trying to win and trying to compete and trying to get better, you can sit back and think about it.
“And probably chat to a few people about it as well, but no particular timeline.”
As revealed on AFL.com.au‘s trade and draft show Gettable last month, the dual All-Australian has been offered the biggest deal in AFL history with the Power tabling a two-year extension with an option to extend it by a further six years in a bid to ensure Butters re-signs beyond his 2026 contract.
Butters said the pull of his family in Melbourne wouldn’t outweigh football factors.
“There’s a number of things – family, friends … but the number one thing for me is footy,” the 24-year-old said.
“I am here to play footy, I am here to do that and footy is the top priority.
“Family is good, friends are good. But footy makes me most happy so that is always my top priority.
“Mum and dad pretty much just always say do what makes you happy … they’re not too fussed.”
Butters is averaging a career-high 27.7 disposals a game this year as pundits try and predict his future.
“There is a lot of noise about it … it is what it is,” he said.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it too much lately. I think other people probably think about it more than I probably do.
“I know we have to get a lot of things right and do a lot of good things but while it’s alive, it’s alive – and that excites me.
“I don’t think I am going to rush … it’s a big decision but I am committed and I am in (at Port).”
Zak Butters celebrates during the round 15 match between Port Adelaide and Sydney at Adelaide Oval, June 21, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Butters said his values “align really well” with Port, which is in 12th spot ahead of a coaching handover at season’s end from Ken Hinkley to Josh Carr.
“I have been lucky enough to be at this club for a while now and be part of some pretty successful teams,” Butters said.
“But I have also been lucky to be in a very good team for a long time so I won’t forget that either.”
