ZAK BUTTERS contemplated playing out his last season at Port Adelaide with it publicly known that he would be coming home to Victoria.

The Western Bulldogs unveiled their 26-year-old superstar recruit on Monday following his blockbuster move as a free agent on a nine-year deal worth $2 million a season.

As revealed in an exclusive interview with AFL.com.au, Butters said he made his mind up ahead of the 2026 campaign that it would be his final season at the Power.

Following open conversations with the club at the end of last season, Butters says he discussed going public with his plans with manager, Peter Lenton.

"I definitely contemplated and thought about that," the midfielder told reporters on Monday.

"But I think the AFL landscape isn't probably quite ready for it."

In the NRL, players can sign deals with rival clubs once they enter the final year of their contract or earlier if given permission.

Deals are often announced during the season, months before the move is completed.

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The AFL system is more restrictive, with listed players coming off-contract only able to officially move in the off-season through trade, free agency, drafts and the supplemental selection period.

"The way I play football and the way I train, I feel like I'd be able to show up and front up and do it," Butters said.

"But definitely, I feel like in the future, I couldn't see why it (announcing trade plans a year in advance) would be a bad thing."

Butters got a firm handshake from his Bulldogs-fanatic father when he broke the news and could hear coach Luke Beveridge's sons rejoicing in the background as they spoke over the phone.

The Bulldogs are expected to be back in the frame for a top-four finish in 2027 with the addition of Butters and return of forward Sam Darcy after a season-ending knee injury.

The 156-gamer has undergone minor ankle surgery, but is champing at the bit to partner Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in the midfield.

"We're definitely going to be in them (best midfield in the competition) calculations," Butters said.

"Being a Bulldogs supporter, I was pretty excited to play with them guys.

"I was at his (Bontempelli's) first game at Marvel Stadium when I was a youngster so I remember my dad saying that he thought he was going to be pretty good."

Butters, a three-time All Australian, was strongly courted by the Bulldogs, Geelong, Collingwood and Richmond throughout the year.

He never completely made up his mind until returning home to his family property at Darley, west of Melbourne, after Port's season had ended.

"I guess I probably took my time to do that," Butters said.

"It's a pretty long contract and it's probably the rest of my career so I wanted to make sure I get it right.

"I probably leaned towards different clubs at different stages but, ultimately, I got to where I wanted to get to."