A potential clue over Zak Butters’ looming free agency call. Plus a Hawks free agent and in-demand Crow have spoken on their futures. MORE IN TRADE WHISPERS.
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POSSIBLE HINT ON BUTTERS’ PLANS
Is this the biggest hint yet of Zak Butters’ free agency plans?
The Age reports that a rental in Melbourne seaside suburb Williamstown received an application with Butters’ name on it as several Victorian clubs circle the Port Adelaide superstar.
It comes after AFL Media reported this week that Richmond had joined that queue of Vic sides hoping to lure the gun midfielder home.
Injured Port Adelaide skipper Connor Rozee said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 this week that he hoped Butters’ longstanding relationships at Alberton could help fend off rival interest.
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“All that we can do as a football club is put ourselves in a position where he wants to be here. I know he’s got some of his best mates (here), we’ve grown together, we’ve been together for eight years now, myself and a bunch of other guys,” Rozee said on the program.
“It’s a really tough decision. We’ve had people come and go from our football club; it’s part of the game now.
“We’re going to have these conversations throughout the whole year … he doesn’t give me much (when I ask him to stay), I know that he’s fully invested in this season, and that’s all I care about.
“That’ll take its own course at the end of the year … we’ll wait and see.”
KEANE SPEAKS ON FUTURE AFTER ATTEMPTED RIVAL RAIDS
Adelaide defender Mark Keane has become hot property in AFL ranks after attempted rival raids.
But Keane says he’s “happy” at the Crows, following interest from the Western Bulldogs and former club Collingwood in recent years, and focused on overcoming his brutal pre-season leg break.
Keane is hoping to return in the back-half of the season after a career-best 2025 where the breakout defender was named to the 44-man All-Australian squad.
The Irishman’s ascension prompted the Dogs to make a bold play the 26-year old to try and shore up their key position stocks after missing out on the likes of Jack Silvagni and Cal Wilkie.
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However Keane, contracted until 2028, is settled at West Lakes for now.
“I’m happy here at Adelaide at the moment,” he told AFL Media.
“I can see where this young group is going. At the moment I’m focused on my leg and getting back for the back half of the year.”
Keane has played 56 AFL games — 46 for Adelaide — after returning to Australia in 2023 to resume his AFL career.
He hopes he still has many years left in the system.
“I just want to play footy for as long as I can,” Keane added.
“I know I’m probably not going to be in Australia forever. As long as I can stay here and create a good career that will be perfect for me.”
LEWIS FOCUSED ON FOOTY — NOT FREE AGENCY
Hawthorn free agent Mitch Lewis says he’s laser focused on staying in the senior side and his next contract isn’t currently front of mind.
Lewis has spearheaded the Hawks forward line in 2026 alongside Jack Gunston and Mabior Chol, with Calsher Dear currently down the pecking order.
It comes after injuries have decimated Lewis’ career to date, with the 27-year old having played just 82 games since 2018 and never surpassing 15 games in a season.
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Despite those injury concerns, Lewis remains one of the premier key forwards set to hit free agency along with Gold Coast’s Ben King and Sydney’s Joel Amartey.
But Lewis cares more about staying healthy and keeping his spot in Sam Mitchell’s 23 than anything right now.
“I am just trying to keep my spot in the side,” Lewis told The Age.
“Calsher is hot on my heels, as is Aidan Schubert, who kicked five goals on the weekend, and Max Ramsden.
“Pressure is good. Performance pressure is always good, but I am trying to be consistent with my football.”
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