A rule introduced in 2025 has put a stop to the proposed deal for Zak Butters between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.
The rule stops clubs from paying off their player's salary after sending them to another club if the same two clubs have already completed a trade where one club sends a free agent and the other receives a compensation pick.
Confusing, we know.
To explain it more: If player X leaves club A as a free agent to club B, and then club A receives a compensation pick, then no further separate trade where club B receives a player from club A, with club A paying their salary, can occur.
The proposed Butters deal would have seen Butters join the Bulldogs as a free agent. The Power would then receive Pick 5 in return.
Port Adelaide was then going to trade Todd Marshall (who is contracted until 2029 on around $800,000 a season) to the Western Bulldogs and pay the majority of his salary.
However, under the AFL's rule, that secondary trade has been outlawed.
The two clubs can still trade once the Power get the compensation pick. But it can't involve Port Adelaide paying any salary for a Western Bulldogs player.
AFL Media reported that league GM Greg Swann sent a memo to clubs on Thursday explaining the rule.
"Any potential trade involving top-up payments must be communicated to the AFL Head of Football Performance, List Management and Engagement prior to the lodgement of the trade for approval by the AFL," Swann's memo to clubs read.
"Upon approval of the trade and top-up payments, a completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be submitted within 48 hours of the trade approval."
"As set out in a memo to clubs dated 26 September 2025, top-up payments will not be approved in relation to a trade between two Clubs who have engaged (or intend to engage) in a free agency exchange for a Restricted or Unrestricted Free Agent in the same player movement period."
