Zak Butters reveals preferred AFL club in shock move

Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has informed the Western Bulldogs of his desire to join the club. The 26-year-old's future had dominated headlines during the season with reports of offers from several clubs.

Butters' preferred club revealed

In a statement on Saturday morning, the Western Bulldogs confirmed Butters had informed the club of his desire to join. "The club will work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period," the Bulldogs said.

Butters had narrowed his choice to the Bulldogs and Geelong before settling on the club he supported as a child. He has reportedly been offered a nine-year deal worth up to $2 million per season to join Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in a high-powered Dogs engine room.

Port Adelaide's response

Port Adelaide has the right to match the bid for restricted free agent Butters and force the Bulldogs into a trade for the three-time All-Australian.

On August 24, Butters announced his decision to "head home", saying it was a "tough decision and one that I haven't taken lightly".

"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," he said at the time.

Reaction from Bulldogs coach

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has long been an admirer of Butters and irked Port counterpart Josh Carr this season when openly addressing his club's desire to lure the star midfielder.

"Marcus [Bontempelli], and some of Marcus's teammates, are quite naturally drawn to Zak," Beveridge said in June. "They played in the state team together [in February], so he's developed some relationships with some of the other boys who played in that game."