AFL trade news, rumours 2026: Jack Riewoldt says Zak Butters should pick Richmond Tigers, free agency decision, Collingwood offer

A three-time Richmond premiership great believes his former club is Zak Butters' best long-term bet at success.

It comes as Collingwood makes its latest play in the four-club race for the superstar's signature, with decision time nearing.

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It was revealed on Monday that the Magpies lobbed a club-record deal to Butters, thought by rivals to be in the range of $1.8 million per year.

Collingwood and the Tigers are competing with the Western Bulldogs and Geelong in the chase, with Butters heavily expected to depart Port Adelaide for his home state this offseason.

Tigers champion Jack Riewoldt delved into Butters' thought process regarding timelines around premiership success.

"From what I've heard, Butters watches footy closely and has a long-term view on what his next step looks like," he began on Fox Footy's On the Couch.

"I think about him looking at the Bulldogs the other night, and I know there's no Sam Darcy at the moment, (but) it gets me thinking about what's in the forefront of Butters' mind.

"Is he in the game to win a premiership next year? More than likely, he's going to sign an eight-year deal at whichever club he ends up at.

"And I just wonder whether it (his thinking) is 'next year, I need to win a premiership', or 'what does the next five to eight years look like?'"

And it's through that lens that Riewoldt believes Richmond is the most plausible landing spot.

"I think an exercise Butters is looking at is where is the happiest happiest hunting ground in the next eight years?" he continued.

"And you automatically look at your under-22 players on each list.

"With the draft and the way it happens -- I think Tasmania is a huge curveball in this -- Richmond is the only side which currently sits above Port Adelaide in the draft order.

"And with young Dougie Cochrane coming through ... it makes it an interesting discussion, that I think Richmond, with that list of young players ... they are the frontrunner for Zak Butters at the moment."

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Richmond hasn't been able to get games into as many of its highly-touted 2024 draftees due to injury, with former No.7 pick Josh Smillie yet to debut.

Tom Sims also hasn't played this year, while Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong have all played 10 games or less.

But Riewoldt believes in the long-term potency of that group, emphasising that the "nucleus" of the club's next great run of success is in place.

"Richmond aren't going to win the premiership next year; they're probably not going to win a flag in the next two years, but that group there is the nucleus of the next dynasty for the Richmond Football Club," he declared.

"And I think Zak Butters is the driver and potentially the captain.

"They clearly went to the draft table and took seven first-round picks two years ago, because that's what you build a nucleus around."

Lions great Jonathan Brown challenged Riewoldt's viewpoint that the Tigers could begin to challenge in the next few years.

"Just because Richmond ran close the other night, they're at least four or five years away from contending around finals," Brown said.

"Do you honestly think that team is going to be contending for a premiership in the next three to four years, which Butters will be looking for?

"Richmond doesn't have any experienced campaigners whatsoever."

Riewoldt replied: "Exactly why they need to access talent like Zak Butters, and next year will be a big year for the Tigers as well, to go hand in hand with that generational talent."

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Orijinal haber: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-2026-jack-riewoldt-says-zak-butters-should-pick-richmond-tigers-free-agency-decision-collingwood-offer/news-story/6d4c24dff72e23660a67ee64bcae418b