Former Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes has discussed the future of superstar Zak Butters, who looms as the prize fish free agent of the 2026 off-season.
Cornes departed the Power at the conclusion of the 2025 season after the club decided against offering him a contract for 2026. He joined the Power's coaching group following three years with GWS, with the former Port Adelaide forward taking on the role of head coach of the club's SANFL side. He'd ultimately move into a role with the senior group, as the forward line coach.
While speaking on SEN Breakfast on Friday, Cornes alluded that speculation surrounding Butters' future may be valid, with his experiences with the 25-year-old midfield weapon guiding his prediction.
"I love [Butters] he's such a great guy... but if I had to make a prediction, I think he goes this time next year," Cornes said.
"I would be saying [keep an eye on] that he loves the Bulldogs, just a real hardcore Bulldogs supporter before he got drafted."
Cornes also hinted that Butters extension offer from the Power is likely to be a lengthy deal in the hopes of persuading the star to stay at Alberton rather than pursue a move back to his home state.
It would come under a similar vain to the Kysaiah Pickett mega-deal the livewire signed with Melbourne earlier this year as he weighed up a move to his home state of Western Australia.
"Being inside the footy club, sometimes there's no other option [offering eight-year contracts]," Cornes said.
"It's the way of the world, if you don't do it [someone else will]. Especially at a club like Port Adelaide, it is so hard to attract talent that is not from the state of South Australia so sometimes that's the only option."
