Adelaide key defender Jordon Butts wants to be at the Western Bulldogs in 2027.
The 26-year-old key defender is expected to sign a five-year contract at the Bulldogs for next season and beyond after completing a medical at the club in recent days.
Butts will join the club as a free agent, costing the Dogs nothing in the trade space. An important point as they look to acquire Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters.
Butts will strengthen the Western Bulldogs defence, allowing Buku Khamis (who also recently signed a five-year contract at the Dogs) to play in his best role which is as a third tall key defender that focuses on intercepting.
The Crows released a statement on Butts' decision on Friday.
"Adelaide defender Jordon Butts has informed the club he intends to sign with the Western Bulldogs via Free Agency this off-season," the statement read.
"The 26-year-old featured in 94 games for Adelaide and will officially join the Bulldogs once the Free Agency Period begins on Friday, October 2.
"The club would like to thank Jordon for his commitment and professionalism over the past eight years and wish him all the best for the future."
The Adelaide key defender was taken with Pick 39 in the 2018 Rookie Draft out of northern Victorian community club Shepparton.
Butts has shown good signs as a lockdown key defender, however, struggled at times to crack Adelaide's best 23 in 2026.
The Crows may lose two key defenders with Nick Murray also considering his future.
Murray is in a similar position to Butts in that he has shown promise as a key defender across his 74 games, but he has not cemented his spot in the Crows' backline that features Mark Keane, Josh Worrell, Max Michalanney, Wayne Milera and James Borlase.
North Melbourne is believed to be the frontrunner for Murray.
