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!
Elijah Tsatas (Essendon Bombers)
Unable to bed down a regular spot in a hapless Essendon outfit, Tsatas could find himself delisted at the end of a season of consequence at the Hangar.
Blessed with the ability to find the footy, but not necessarily the ability to use it, Tsatas has long excelled at the reserves level, but has struggled to translate that dominance to the elite tier of the national competition.
Port could show interest in extending the career of the former fifth overall selection from the 2022 National Draft.
Who knows, maybe a change of scenery could unlock the Wesley College product's very best?
