Butters' Bulldogs deal ends biggest player chase since Judd in 2007
Zak Butters signed a nine-year deal worth $2 million a season, and Port Adelaide took the No.5 pick.
Zak Butters is now officially a Western Bulldog after a long chase from several clubs. The Dogs and Port Adelaide finished a complex mega trade on Friday.
Port accepted the No.5 pick as compensation for losing him. Zak Butters' deal runs nine years, until the end of 2035, and is worth $2 million a season.
The chase was the biggest for a player since Chris Judd left West Coast for Carlton in 2007. Richmond's nine-year offer was understood to be close to $5 million in its first year.
Collingwood offered a club record $1.8 million a season across eight years. Butters said his dad and pop both barracked for the Bulldogs, so the club felt natural.
- $2 million a season
- Annual salary
- No.5 pick
- Compensation pick
- Nine years, to end of 2035
- Contract length
- Close to $5 million
- Richmond's first-year offer
Why it mattersThe record-breaking deal shows how far clubs will go to land a star, and what top players can earn.
AustraliaFor AFL fans, Butters is contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2035.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 h ago
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