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Jordon Butts has joined the Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free agent on a five-year contract after 94 games with Adelaide. The Crows receive band-three compensation, currently pick No.33 in the second round.
The Western Bulldogs have landed a sorely needed key defender through free agency, signing Jordon Butts on a five-year contract. The unrestricted free agent fell out of favour with the Crows this season and joins a Bulldogs side whose season was extinguished by Adelaide in an elimination final last month.
Adelaide has been awarded band-three compensation for losing Butts, ensuring the club has an extra pick in the second round of the draft, currently pick No.33. 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. Butts, 26, played 94 games for the Crows over eight seasons.
Jordon Butts Bolsters Bulldogs Defence
He averaged 11 disposals, including three intercept marks, per game in the nine senior games he played this year. His arrival is expected to help address a Bulldogs defence that has at times struggled. Butts said he was motivated to make a difference at his new club.
I am 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. There is a lot of excitement and optimism around the club at the moment, and I could not be more pleased to be a part of it as we chase success together.
Butts will play alongside Buku Khamis, who has signed a five-year contract extension, and the hardworking James ODonnell. Western Bulldogs player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan said Butts intercept marking skills were of high value. We are thrilled that a player of Jordon calibre chose to join the Western Bulldogs for 2027 and beyond, Regan said.
Jordon is a talented and competitive key defender who has proven he can negate and intercept against the best key forwards in the competition. His skill set complements our existing backline, and as a high-quality footballer and person, he will add to our culture while giving himself and our defensive group the best chance to flourish.
Rory Lobb Trade Speculation Intensifies
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 Mondays official start to the trade period. Lobb, 33, has played 81 games for the Bulldogs since joining from Fremantle after the 2022 season. Saints football manager Lenny Hayes addressed the speculation on AFL Trade Radio.
His name has been mentioned, and there was some talk that we have put a three-year contract to Rory, Hayes said. I can say that is not the case. And that is probably looking less likely than likely. 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 has officially nominated the club as his preferred destination via restricted free agency on a historic nine-year deal worth up to 2 million dollars per season, the biggest deal in AFL history. The Power will have to decide whether to match the offer to Butters or force a trade. If they choose not to match, they will receive what is currently pick No.5 in the national draft, the selection after Port first pick.
Zak Butters Deal Shapes AFL Future
The Power, however, have made it clear they want more, and are potentially seeking up to three first-round selections. The AFL is in lock-step with both clubs to ensure any deal is above board. The Power early draft selections will be needed to match the likely bid at pick No.1. Geelong, Richmond and Collingwood had also pursued Butters, who hails from Darley near Bacchus Marsh and grew up a Bulldogs fan.
In other news, 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 have ever wanted, Rankine said.
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theage:‘Best chance to flourish’: Bulldogs finally land sorely needed defensive help for flag tiltThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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