The Western Bulldogs’ hopes of emerging as legitimate premiership contenders next season have been further buoyed after landing a sorely needed key defender through free agency on Saturday.
asserted
hopes → emerge → Saturday
Jordon Butts, an unrestricted free agent, fell out of favour with the Crows this season, but he has been guaranteed a five-year contract with the Bulldogs, who had their season extinguished by the Crows in an elimination final last month.
asserted
season → fall → final
The Crows have been awarded band-three compensation, ensuring they have an extra pick in the second round of the draft (currently pick No.33).
asserted
they → award → draft
Butts, 26, played 94 games for the Crows over eight seasons.
asserted
Butts → play → seasons
He averaged 11 disposals, including three intercept marks, per game in the nine senior games he played this year.
asserted
he → average → games
“I’m motivated to come into the club and make a difference, continuing to grow as a player and help the team wherever possible, working alongside some really talented individuals,” Butts said on Saturday.
asserted
Butts → motivate → Saturday
“There is a lot of excitement and optimism around the club at the moment, and I couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of it as we chase success together.
asserted
we → be → success
The Bulldogs have, at times, struggled defensively, but Butts’ signing will help to alleviate these issues, given he will play alongside Buku Khamis – who has signed a five-year contract extension – and the hardworking James O’Donnell.
asserted
who → struggle → extension
The Crows had hoped to secure a higher compensation pick, but those hopes were dashed when GWS and the Brisbane Lions were each given band-three compensation for losing Toby Greene and Lachie Neale respectively.
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GWS → hop → Greene
Western Bulldogs player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan said Butts’ intercept marking skills were of high value.
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skills → say → value
“We are thrilled that a player of Jordon’s calibre chose to join the Western Bulldogs for 2027 and beyond,” Regan said.
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Regan → thrill → 2027
“Jordon is a talented and competitive key defender who has proven he can negate and intercept against the best key forwards in the competition.
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he → prove → competition
His skill set complements our existing backline, and as a high-quality footballer and person, he’ll add to our culture while giving himself and our defensive group the best chance to flourish.”
asserted
he → complement → chance
Fellow Bulldogs defender Rory Lobb may have to complete the final year on his contract, despite being linked with a move to St Kilda ahead of Monday’s official start to the trade period.
uncertain
Lobb → have → period
Saints football manager Lenny Hayes told AFL Trade Radio that a deal for the versatile tall appeared unlikely.
asserted
deal → tell → tall
“His name has been mentioned, and there was some talk that we’ve put a three-year contract to Rory.
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we → mention → Rory
I can say that isn’t the case.
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that → say → ?
And that’s probably looking less likely than likely,” Hayes said.
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Hayes → look → ?
Lobb, 33, has played 81 games for the Bulldogs since joining from Fremantle after the 2022 season.
asserted
Lobb → play → season
Butts’ defection adds to what shapes as a gold-plated off-season for the Bulldogs, who are also expected to secure Zak Butters – the Port Adelaide star having officially nominated the club as his preferred destination via restricted free agency on a historic nine-year deal worth up to $2 million per season, the biggest deal in AFL history.
asserted
star → add → history
However, complexities remain in rubber-stamping the move.
asserted
complexities → remain → move
The Power will have to decide whether to match the offer to Butters or force a trade.
asserted
Power → have → trade
If they choose not to match, they will receive what is currently pick No.5 in the national draft – the selection after Port’s first pick.
asserted
what → choose → pick
The Power, however, have made it clear they want more, and are potentially seeking up to three first-round selections.
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they → make → selections
The AFL is in lock-step with both clubs to ensure any deal is above board.
asserted
deal → ensure → board
The Power’s early draft selections will be needed to match the likely bid at pick No.1 for their academy gun Dougie Cochrane.
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selections → need → gun
Geelong, Richmond and Collingwood had also pursued Butters, who hails from Darley near Bacchus Marsh and grew up a Bulldogs fan.
asserted
who → pursue → Marsh
Star Crows midfielder Izak Rankine has inked a five-year contract extension with the club.
“I grew up a diehard Crows supporter and playing here is all I’ve ever wanted,” Rankine said.
asserted
Rankine → ink → club
The Aporia
