Zak Butters requests trade from Port Adelaide to return to Victoria

Port Adelaide's three-time best and fairest winner, Zak Butters, has officially informed the club of his decision to depart via free agency and return to his home state of Victoria. The 25-year-old dual All-Australian's future has been a dominant topic of discussion throughout the current season, with speculation rife about lucrative offers from Victorian clubs.

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I've made a decision to head home. It's obviously been one that I've wrestled with for a while now. It's been a tough decision and one that I haven't taken lightly.

Butters expressed that the decision was difficult and one he had wrestled with for some time. "I've made a decision to head home. It's obviously been one that I've wrestled with for a while now," he said. "It's been a tough decision and one that I haven't taken lightly." He conveyed his deep appreciation for his time in Adelaide, stating, "Although I've loved my time in Adelaide … I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back around some family and friends and enjoy some more time with them." Butters also vowed to cherish the memories made with the club and expressed his gratitude for being drafted.

He emphasized his continued loyalty to Port Adelaide, saying, "I feel like I've always tried to repay them in the right way and play football in the right way." Butters acknowledged the unwavering support from the fans, describing them as "everything" and noting their consistent encouragement since his drafting. "The supporters have been everything, they've always got around since day one of being drafted, even this year they've been awesome and showed nothing but love and support," he added.

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Although I've loved my time in Adelaide … I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back around some family and friends and enjoy some more time with them.

In response, Port Adelaide issued a statement confirming they had been informed of Butters' intention to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent. The club committed to facilitating his request while ensuring the best possible outcome for Port Adelaide. "Port Adelaide has been informed by Zak Butters and his management that he intends to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent and explore a return home to Victoria," the statement read. "Zak has been an outstanding servant to the football club since debuting in 2019. He is a three-time John Cahill Medallist and dual All-Australian and we thank him for everything he has given to Port Adelaide."

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The supporters have been everything, they've always got around since day one of being drafted, even this year they've been awesome and showed nothing but love and support.

Reports surfaced earlier in the season, denied by the club at the time, that Butters had informed some teammates of his decision in July. His season was cut short by a syndesmosis injury in Round 18, and coach Josh Carr had previously indicated that the star midfielder was likely to leave. Port Adelaide had maintained throughout the season that they would match any offer for Butters to maximize their draft capital, a stance reiterated by chief executive Matthew Richardson in April.

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Port Adelaide has been informed by Zak Butters and his management that he intends to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent and explore a return home to Victoria. Zak has been an outstanding servant to the football club since debuting in 2019. He is a three-time John Cahill Medallist and dual All-Australian and we thank him for everything he has given to Port Adelaide.