Melbourne coach Steven King has effectively ruled the Demons out of the race for Zak Butters, saying the Port Adelaide free agent’s decision has “played out a year or so in advance already”.
Victorian-born Power superstar Butters is the hottest property in the AFL ahead of October’s trade and free agency period, with a growing expectation that he will seek a move home.
The 25-year-old grew up a die-hard Western Bulldogs supporter and many around the industry expect him to head to the Kennel, but Geelong, Hawthorn and Melbourne have all shown interest.
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Butters has said repeatedly that he won’t make a decision until later in the year, but as that time edges closer, the picture appears to be getting clearer.
7Sport’s Tom Morris last week told The Agenda Setters that Hawthorn had shifted their attention elsewhere. Now, King says the Demons don’t have high hopes either.
“Not really sure,” King told SEN on Monday when asked where Melbourne stands in the race for Butters.
“We’d be like every club that’d love him, but from what you hear, I think it’s down to a couple and we might not be part of that discussion.
“We’re certainly doing work behind the scenes to let him know that we’re an option.
“But that’s probably been played out for a year or so in advance already.”
Notwithstanding that, King says the Demons are keen to be active at the end of the year.
“Everything’s on the table for us at the end of the year,” he said.
“We go into the off-season — I know it’s a long way away — but we’ve got two first-round picks, we’ve got room in our cap.
“Hopefully people among the industry are watching us play and think, ‘Gee, I’d love to be part of that’.
“And if they can make our club better, I think everything’s on the table for us.”
Melbourne brought in former St Kilda captain Jack Steele to help cover the losses of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca at the end of last year, while Tom Sparrow, Kade Chandler and the electrifying Kysaiah Pickett have all enjoyed more midfield time under King this year.
But the first-year coach says they’d always welcome another A-grade on-baller.
“Obviously Jack Viney hasn’t played — if he could get back at some point this year, that’d be great,” King said.
“We look at our list in entirety. We’re young in some certain areas, but I think you’d always add a midfielder into your group, the way the game’s played now.
“Someone that can play inside-outside, I like players that can play dual positions. The way the game’s played now, I think having more options gives you greater flexibility.”
