AFL Blocks Bulldogs and Port Adelaide Over ‘Pick Purchasing’ Plan for Zak Butters
Zak Butters’ anticipated move to the Western Bulldogs has hit a major structural roadblock after the AFL intervened to shut down a controversial “pick purchasing” arrangement between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, according to reporting by the Herald Sun and afl.com.au. The League confirmed that rules implemented ahead of the previous player movement period explicitly prohibit clubs from engaging in trades involving salary top-up payments if those same two clubs have already completed a free agency exchange during the same period.
The Mechanics of the Blocked Trade and the 2025 Memo
The complex transaction blueprint involved Port Adelaide tall Todd Marshall heading to the Western Bulldogs in a deal where Port Adelaide would pay for the vast majority of Marshall’s remaining salary in exchange for early draft selections from the Bulldogs. This financial maneuvering was designed to follow Butters exiting Port Adelaide as a restricted or unrestricted free agency acquisition, which would yield the Power a compensation selection likely slated at pick No. 5.
According to documents reviewed by afl.com.au, AFL general manager of football performance Greg Swann distributed a definitive memo to clubs outlining the regulatory framework. The directive states that any potential trade involving top-up payments must receive prior approval from the AFL Head of Football Performance, List Management and Engagement, followed by a completed Memorandum of Understanding submitted within 48 hours.
Crucially, the memo reinforced a restriction introduced to clubs on September 26, 2025. That specific clause dictates that top-up payments are barred in trades between two clubs that have engaged or intend to engage in a free agency exchange for a restricted or unrestricted free agent during the same player movement window. Consequently, Port Adelaide cannot subsidize Marshall’s salary over the remainder of his contract—which runs until the end of 2029 at approximately $800,000 per season—if Butters moves directly to Whitten Oval via free agency.
Front-Office Implications and Salary Cap Restraints
List managers across the competition have closely monitored the situation as list management strategies adapt to the League’s tightening integrity safeguards. Industry sources point out that the rule was originally drafted following discussions involving Brisbane and Essendon regarding potential player movements involving Sam Draper and Jordan Ridley. The League moved swiftly to close off salary subsidization loopholes that could otherwise manipulate draft compensation outcomes.
While the regulation terminates the specific “pick purchasing” mechanism utilizing salary top-ups, it does not completely prevent Marshall or other Port Adelaide players from being traded to the Western Bulldogs under standard player-for-player or pick-for-player terms. However, removing the salary absorption element alters the financial calculus for the Bulldogs, who would otherwise have acquired a key-position target at a heavily discounted cap rate funded by their trade partners.
Next Steps in the Player Movement Period
As the trade and free agency window approaches, both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs must recalibrate their list management strategies without the benefit of salary top-up arrangements. The League’s strict enforcement of the 2025 memorandum demonstrates an uncompromising stance on maintaining draft integrity and preventing indirect compensation inflation.
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