Trade Whispers: AFL ‘split’ over Butters side deal; Giants open to offers for gun duo, Lions star’s big call on future
AFL trade rumors suggest a complex deal involving Zak Butters moving to the Western Bulldogs, potentially involving a salary dump of Todd Marshall. Meanwhile, St Kilda is reportedly open to trading Rowan Marshall to Geelong.
Why it matters
Trade maneuvers in professional sports leagues often impact team salary caps and long-term competitive balance.
AFL TEAMS PORT-ADELAIDE-POWER ‘Open to it’: Major move in Cats talks; shock ‘salary dump’ claim in Butters side deal — Whispers Does Butters deal 'pass the pub test?' | 01:04 Fox Footy from Fox Sports September 15th, 2026 5:32 pm A mooted side deal that could unlock Zak Butters’ Bulldogs move has the footy world talking, with fresh details on Todd Marshall’s role.
Plus, the Giants are open to offers for a gun duo, and talks progress between Geelong and St Kilda. Read on in Trade Whispers.
There are fresh details in the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide’s controversial attempt to manipulate the free agency compo system in the Zak Butters deal.
The outline of the plan as it stands would see Butters walk to the Bulldogs in free agency, giving the Power Pick 5, along with a trade of two first-round picks for Port Adelaide tall Todd Marshall.
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