One name steals the spotlight of the AFL's 2026 free agency class more than most - Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters.
The midfield prowess of Butters has long been a skillset rival clubs wish to acquire, particularly among the Victorian teams, who are hopeful they can lure the Darley native back to his home state after a six-year tenure in South Australia.
So strong is the interest in Butters, and as vague as he has been on his future in black, white and teal, that clubs were asking the question to the Power this off-season about a potential trade, which the Alberton-based club emphatically rejected.
The enormity of the attention surrounding Butters' future is expected to grow over the next 12 months, but the 24-year-old believes he is prepared to deal with what comes his way, highlighting the veterans in his corner to help him navigate the media storm.
"[Ollie Wines] and [Travis Boak] have been very supportive," Butters told Wide World of Sports.
"I've had a few good chats with Boak around what he did and his decisions.
"If I ever need to reach out and have a chat or sit down or talk through contracts or footy or life, they're a little bit older than me so they've been through this scenario a couple of times."
Boak weighed up a move to Victoria in 2012, famously meeting with key members of the Geelong Cats in Adelaide, as well as engaging in talks with Essendon before he committed to re-signing with the Power.
Boak's advice is something Butters will lean on as his highly anticipated free agency decision encroaches.
"I look up to them and what they've done at Port Adelaide and in the community here in Adelaide, so I have some really good role models and people to lean on," the three-time John Cahill Medal winner said.
"I experienced a bit of being in the spotlight towards the back-end of the season, but I actually don't try and read into it too much.
"At the moment, I'm still contracted to Port Adelaide and got a lot of good friendships here and have a lot of respect for Josh Carr and the new coaches."
Butters dismissed the idea that his decision will affect his play next year, as he focuses on helping the new-look Power system return to September action after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
"It's something I'll think about towards the back-end of 2026," Butters said.
"Right now, I'm locked in and focused on Round 1 and playing some good footy."
Butters averaged a career-high 28.0 disposals, 6.6 clearances and 6.1 score involvements in 2025 and will look to elevate his game once more under newly appointed senior coach Josh Carr, who looks to add more avenues to attack inside 50 from his midfield group.
The Western Bulldogs are the expected rival to hunt for Butters' services in the 2026 off-season, while Collingwood and Geelong have also been linked to the midfielder.
