Butters signs record AFL deal with Bulldogs
Zak Butters signed a nine-year deal worth roughly $2 million per season, the richest in AFL history.
Zak Butters has joined the Western Bulldogs in a blockbuster free agency move after Port Adelaide decided not to match their offer. The 26-year-old three-time All-Australian midfielder reportedly signed a nine-year contract worth about some $2 million each season, believed to be the most valuable in AFL history.
A boyhood Bulldogs supporter from Darley, west of Melbourne, Butters said the move had been a long time coming. Butters' arrival boosts the Bulldogs' 2027 premiership chances, especially with star forward Sam Darcy expected back from injury.
Port Adelaide accepted pick No.5 as compensation and now hold three picks inside the top 15 of this year's draft.
- 9 years
- Contract length
- $2 million per season
- Annual value
- 26 years old
- Age
- Pick No.5
- Compensation to Port
Why it mattersThe mega-deal signals the Bulldogs are genuine premiership contenders, while Butters gets to play for his childhood team.
AustraliaThe AFL's biggest player deal reshapes the Bulldogs' 2027 chances and tests whether mega contracts can deliver premierships in Australia's premier football code.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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