Vision has emerged of Port Adelaide's star midfielder Zak Butters returning to the running track as he ticks off a major milestone in a bid to feature in the 2026 season once more.
Fears reverberated around the Power camp when scans confirmed, following the Round 18 clash against St Kilda, that Butters had suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury and required surgery.
The Alberton club is adamant, as too is its star on-baller, that he will push for a guernsey in the final game of the season, amid the trade circus surrounding his future.
Port Adelaide is hopeful Butters will be available for selection in Round 24 against Essendon, which is expected to be his last outing in the black and teal.
The 25-year-old is being chased by Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Collingwood as he weighs up his free agency decision.
Butters is not willing to be walked to the draft by a rival. Instead, the Power leader is adamant the Alberton club must be compensated if he leaves as expected, according to the Herald Sun.
Butters' restricted free agency status is tipped to force a trade between Port Adelaide and the midfielder's preferred destination.
The Tigers have put forward a monster deal that blows the Cats and Bulldogs out of the water, but have little pull in terms of premiership contention for the next few seasons.
Geelong is set to meet with Butters in a bid to convince him to join the Cats.
Kelly, on ABC before Thursday night's game, said: “Zak's coming back to Victoria and we'd like him to consider our club”. Carr didn't take too kindly to the comments.
"I feel like the arrogance of certain football clubs, Collingwood in particular ... he's a leader of their football club, if that's the way they want to lead...,” The Power coach said.
“It's not us, it's not who we are as a football club and how we carry ourselves. We're a football club that respects everyone in the competition and doesn't put ourselves above anyone.
“I feel like it's not the same at every football club. It's disrespectful to the club, the competition and Zak, in particular.
“I'm sure he would be disappointed in those comments to throw it out there like you know what's going on.”
Carr insisted no decision has been made.
