The Collingwood Magpies are officially out of the race for Zak Butters' services.
afl.com.au's Cal Twomey reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Victorian giants had been informed by Butters' management that their client will no longer be entertaining the offer put to him - despite that offer being the biggest the club had ever put in front of a prospective player.
$14 million over the life of an eight-year deal was the offer put to Butters by Collingwood decision makers, but that has not swayed Butters, whose choice is now down to the Richmond Tigers, Western Bulldogs, and favourites, the Geelong Cats.
Butters made his intentions clear on Monday, finally putting over a year of speculation about his future to rest.
Exclusive – The Zak Butters race is down to three, with Collingwood ruled out.
The Magpies have been informed they are not in his final mix. Geelong, Richmond, Western Bulldogs remain.
The Cats are favoured but all clubs are conscious of how a trade gets done. More👉@AFLcomau pic.twitter.com/ArfX90N6da
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) August 24, 2026
"I've made a decision to head home, and it's obviously one I've wrestled with for a while now. It's been quite tough to get to the bottom of it," he said.
"It's been a tough decision in my life and one I haven't taken lightly.
"I feel like, although I've loved my time in Adelaide and everything the city and the football club have given to me, I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back to family and friends and enjoy some more time with them and cherish more moments with them.
"Next steps, there's a bit to play through. A little bit with my manager and family and trying to decide on what's next for me. I'll look to get that sorted. The club have been great throughout so I'm sure they'll work together and get something done."
The three remaining clubs are understandably conscious of the cost of acquiring the 25-year-old, whose 'restricted' free agency status will necessitate a trade.
Richmond, buoyed by their recently confirmed second selection at the upcoming National Draft, are believed to have the strongest hand at the trade table, but that has not deterred many pundits from placing Geelong in the box seat for yet another free agency acquisition of a superstar.
