Port’s intention to match offers and force a favourable trade makes it difficult for Collingwood to compete for Butters’ services, even in the unlikely event that he nominated them, given Collingwood’s wish to retain a first-round pick this year as they attempt to regenerate the oldest list in the AFL. The Magpies are clearly seeking to remain in finals contention – by bringing in mature recruits who can impact immediately – whilst introducing youth to a list that will lose several veterans, headed by Scott
Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe, soon. Geelong is the only club that has successfully straddled those objectives over the past dozen years. The Lions have been in regular discussions with Neale’s management about his future, and face the prospect of potentially losing another free agent, Zac Bailey, to free agency – Bailey having received a sizeable offer from Adelaide that the Lions are unlikely to match if he exercises his free-agency rights. Hawthorn held an interest in Butters, but remain keen on Essendon’s star
Zach Merrett, who is contracted for 2027 and viewed as likely to seek a trade again this year after the Bombers declined to move him last October. Their training base in Dingley, obviously, is much further from Butters’ home town than the Bulldogs or inner-city Melbourne clubs, and a longer trip than Geelong.
Zak Butters, Nick Daicos, Collingwood, Port Adelaide, trade, first-round pick, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe, Neale, Zac Bailey, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hawthorn, Zach Merrett, Essendon, Dingley
So they’re chasing Butters but also not trading?? cool cool.
I’m confused, sounds like Collingwood wants to keep their first round pick but also wants to trade for the guy, like pick your struggle lol. Pendlebury/Howe/Sidebottom are retiring or what? That’s kinda wild.
Wait Zac Bailey is a free agent again? I swear these teams just rotate players like every year. Adelaide offering him makes sense, but why wouldn’t Lions match it? Maybe they can’t because they’re already paying for Neale? Also Dingley sounds far… that’s probably the real issue right there.
Geelong somehow “straddled” everything for a dozen years like it’s a strategy manual. Meanwhile Collingwood is trying to stay in finals contention with mature recruits… but also losing a bunch of guys soon?? Sounds like the plan is just panic-buying and hoping. And why does Port getting offers matter if Collingwood already won the race? I dunno, trades are always messy.