Increased offer: Dogs make huge final bid for Butters

The Western Bulldogs have increased their offer to Zak Butters in a final attempt to secure the Port Adelaide superstar.

The Dogs - aware Geelong has now positioned itself very well in the Butters sweepstakes – on Monday sent through an improved contract proposal to the midfielder’s management.

Just days after coach Luke Beveridge pondered whether there was more his club could offer, the Bulldogs put forth their best – and final – pitch.

Butters will become the highest-paid player in the history of the game in October when he moves to one of Geelong, Western Bulldogs or Richmond.

All have presented long-term deals worth somewhere between $1.8-$2 million a season.

Beveridge last week hinted at the Dogs’ latest chess move on Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“You’re always working out what can do. Have you spent everything you can? Not literally in regards to the dollar, but is there any more you can do? Is there another angle?” Beveridge said.

“So sometimes you hear those rumours (Geelong being in the box seat) and they’re valid and other times they’re misdirected. We’re not sure of the impact of it, but it could be true and we’ve got to continue to do what we can to see if we can bring Zak in.”

Butters, who turns 26 next month, on Monday informed Port Adelaide that he would be leaving as a restricted free agent. Collingwood was also told he would not be joining the Magpies.

But there is also a chance Butters won’t actually nominate a club ahead of October’s free agency window. It is known that the ability of the three clubs to actually orchestrate a suitable trade is a consideration in the player’s final decision.

Butters has told the Power that he wants to ensure they are looked after in any exchange. While the three remaining clubs have positioned themselves financially, they are also formulating trade packages behind the scenes.

As much as this is a financial battle, it’s become a trade table battle, too.

"I've made a decision to head home. It's obviously been one that I've wrestled with for a while now," Butters said this week.

"Although I've loved my time in Adelaide … I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back around some family and friends and enjoy some more time with them.”

The Power have consistently stated they will match any contract offer for Butters to maximise their return.

"Zak is a restricted free agent. With that, the club does have some options and our responsibility will be to ensure that we get the absolute best outcome for Port Adelaide and our future," Port CEO Matthew Richardson said.

"We want to make sure we get the absolute best outcome for Port Adelaide and there's plenty of mechanisms by which we can do that ... and also, I guess the clubs that are courting Zak are going to need to be thinking about," he said.

The AFL free agency period runs from October 2-9, while the trade period is October 5-14.