It's implausible that one could overstate Zak Butters' importance to the Port Adelaide footy club.
He reminded the landscape of his brilliance once again on Saturday night, helming his side to a mighty upset over their crosstown rivals, and collecting best on ground honours in the process.
His peerless form this season has led many to applaud the maturity with which he's handled his impending free agency decision. Where many wither under the scrutiny and speculation, the 25-year-old has flourished.
But make no mistake, he's the biggest fish in the market this off-season, and Port will be out to maximise their return for him, should he do as is predicted, and sign for a Victorian club.
It's unlikely the bounty received for Butters, given the 'restricted' nature of his free agency, will address all of the limping club's needs. They'd also be understandably reticent to part ways with draft capital, such is the suite of club-tied prospects they will be looking to dress in teal in the next two National Drafts.
So who are some low-cost acquisitions the club could target, and who are some names that could find themselves part of a package put to Port when Butters heads for the exits?
Take a look!
Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
Port Adelaide could do a lot worse than to join the sweepstakes for South Australian, dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale.
Widely tipped to depart the River City, Neale was widely expected to head to Western Australia, where his children now reside, but with recent reports circulating that Melbourne powerhouses like Collingwood have met with the legendary midfielder, the race for his services appears wide open.
Leverage his familial ties to the region, and his storied friendship with development coach Cameron Sutcliffe, and try to bring a piece that would be as crucial to the development of the club's youth as he would be to their chances of winning on a given weekend.
Costing the club nothing in draft capital, "Choccy" would be a very handy acquisition indeed.
