ZAK BUTTERS’ move to the Western Bulldogs is "at a little bit of a standstill", but a mega deal could unlock his move to Whitten Oval.

The Port Adelaide superstar has nominated the Bulldogs as his new home for 2027, but the two clubs are yet to work out the exact machinations around his move. 

While Butters can make the move as a free agent, it is looming likely that a mega deal could be struck that would also involve several pick and player swaps between multiple clubs.

"This is my tip with how the Butters thing plays out," AFL.com.au's trade and draft expert Cal Twomey said on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.

"I think we'll see a free agency move (with pick 5), because I think that that pick is so valuable now to what they want to do for this year and the next couple, in terms of their three-year draft plan and strategy."

The Power have a stack of club-tied talent on their radar in the coming years, headlined by this year’s possible no.1 pick Dougie Cochrane as well as 2027 prospects Louis Salopek and Zemes Pilot. 

"There is a sense that this could be the mega deal of the trade period, but it just would be subsidiary to the Zak Butters free agency move," Twomey continued. 

Port Adelaide swingman Todd Marshall has been linked as a potential trade candidate, while Western Bulldogs small forward Laitham Vandermeer is another name that has emerged as a target for other clubs given he could be squeezed out by Butters' arrival. 

"The challenge is the Bulldogs haven’t wanted to pay the full tote odds for Todd Marshall's remaining three years of his deal," Twomey added.

"Butters and his move to the Bulldogs will happen, it's just about how."

The 2026 free agency period begins on Friday.

2026 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio line-up

7-9am: The Early Trade with Kane Cornes and Sam Edmund 
9-11am: Trade Mornings with Tom Morris and Tom Mitchell 
11am-12pm: AFL Trade Exchange with Josh Gabelich and Michael Voss
12-1pm: Gettable with Callum Twomey and Riley Beveridge 
1-3pm: The Trade Feed with Cam Luke and Liam Pickering 
3-6pm: The Late Trade with Damian Barrett and Brad Johnson, plus Marty Pask (5-6pm)