Zak Butters has scoffed at reports he’s told teammates he’s leaving Port Adelaide.
Butters turned in yet another sensational, best-afield display in the Power’s upset 26-point win over arch foe Adelaide on Saturday night.
The man with the AFL’s most sought-after signature collected 37 disposals, 13 clearances, 11 inside 50s and laid seven tackles against the Crows.
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Before his latest heroics, ABC radio’s Aaron Bryans reported Butters had already told some Port teammates he was leaving at the end of the season and returning to Victoria.
“First of all, I don’t know Aaron,” Butters told reporters post-match.
“But I’d love to know where he gets his stuff from.
“But yeah, that hasn’t happened. So there you go, Aaron.”
Victorian-born Butters, who falls off-contract with Port at the end of the season, is considering some of the AFL’s richest offers to return to his native state.
The Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Richmond and Essendon are among clubs pitching for the star midfielder’s services.
The 25-year-old supported the Bulldogs as a child, prompting speculation that Luke Beveridge’s club is the frontrunner for his signature.
But Butters, who has won Port’s club champion award in the past three seasons and is expected to claim another this year, said being a one-club player also was attractive.
“Most definitely,” he said.
“I feel like the boys I’ve played with over the years, Boaky (Travis Boak), Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert, Justin Westhoff, like, yeah, there’s that side of it as well.
“And I’ve loved my time at the club and I love coming to the club every day, and my teammates now.
“Yeah, that is definitely a pull as well.
“Growing up, I played for my junior club (the Darley Football Club) the whole way through.
“And post AFL, I’ll probably only never play for them again, so yeah, it’s something to definitely think about.”
Butters said the thought of Saturday night being his last Showdown for Port against arch rivals Adelaide did cross his mind.
“That’s just because I’m so grateful to play in Showdowns and for this footy club as well,” he said.
“To be able to play and roll out there, I know I’ve got some close mates who are injured and missing, and (I am) just so grateful to be out there in the biggest moment and play footy and get the win as well.
“For me it’s just, if anything, just looking around and been being pretty grateful for the position I’m in and being able to do what I do.”
