The Collingwood Magpies are reportedly expected to pursue top 2026 free agent Zak Butters next year
The Port Adelaide phenom is yet to recommit to the club beyond next year, with rivals cautiously monitoring his situation.
Collingwood have emerged as another club interested, despite their lack of draft picks that would likely be required to make a deal work next off-season, according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
“I strongly expect Collingwood to be right in the thick of the Zak Butters sweepstakes next year,” Twomey said on AFL Trade Radio on Friday.
“They don’t have picks, but they have free agency options.
“In saying all of that, if Butters left Port Adelaide, I think it would be matched in a heartbeat, so you probably need picks if you’re going into the Zak Butters race.
“We hear a lot about Geelong and the Bulldogs and that’s because they are the two key suitors for him on that side of town if he does eventually look at moving from Port Adelaide as a free agent next year.
“But I think Collingwood will give it a shake.”
The opportunity to be a key component of Collingwood’s midfield alongside Nick Daicos appears as the obvious reason for Butters to consider joining the Pies.
While Daicos has been an exceptional clearance winner at centre bounces and in the stoppage battles, leading Collingwood’s midfield in first possessions and clearances per game, he thrives on the run as a receiver.
Getting a player with the ball-winning capacity of Butters, who ranked 10th in disposals per game (28.0) and seventh in clearances (6.6) would help establish greater opportunity for Daicos to get those runs.
Furthermore, Collingwood’s aging midfield could reach a crisis point as soon as next season if they remain stagnant in the trade period. Five Magpies averaged at least 20 disposals per game this season and three of them are at least 32 years old; Crisp (32), Sidebottom (34) and Pendlebury (37).
Butters, at 25, fits the Daicos-era timeline much more seamlessly than the aforementioned stars.
Collingwood also possess the lure of former Power teammate Dan Houston as a potential persuader for the three-time club best-and-fairest winner to join Australia’s largest club.
Butters was influential in a slightly injury-disrupted season for the Power in 2025 which earned him a spot in the 2025 All-Australian squad and third consecutive John Cahill Medal. It highlights his importance to Port Adelaide and why his contract status will be leading headlines throughout 2026, should he continue his noncommittal approach.