Hawthorn is the frontrunner for Port Adelaide star Zak Butters, according to Nine journalist Sam McClure.
The Power midfielder is contracted until the end of 2026, where he will become one of the game’s hottest free agents of all time, but has been linked with numerous Victorian sides.
McClure believes a move to Hawthorn in this trade period could be on the cards, as Port enters a new era without Ken Hinkley next year.
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Zak Butters has starred despite Port’s struggles. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“I just think that given Port Adelaide doesn’t have a lot of draft capital and they’ll be looking to bring some back in, and I think given his closeness with Ken Hinkley, then there maybe a reset from both club and player,” McClure told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“If he was making the decision right now, my guess would be that he would be playing for Hawthorn next year.
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“My belief is that Hawthorn has created space in their list. They probably know that Harley Reid will spend one more year at West Coast as it stands.
“I think they’ll be putting most of their eggs in the Zak Butters basket.”
Damian Barrett believes Geelong and the Western Bulldogs are also firmly in the mix. Butters grew up supporting the Dogs.
“I wouldn’t be ruling out Geelong or the Western Bulldogs in that conversation,” Barrett added.
