Riewoldt backs Richmond as Butters' best long-term bet
Three-time Richmond premiership great Jack Riewoldt believes his former club offers Zak Butters the strongest path to sustained success, as the four-team race for the Port Adelaide star's signature intensifies.
Collingwood has made its latest play with a club-record offer reportedly worth $1.8 million per year. The Magpies join Richmond, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong in the chase for Butters, who is widely expected to leave Port Adelaide for his home state this off-season.
Why Richmond makes sense for Butters
Speaking on Fox Footy's On the Couch, Riewoldt outlined why he thinks Richmond is the most plausible landing spot for Butters, who is likely to sign an eight-year deal with whichever club he chooses.
“I think an exercise Butters is looking at is where is the happiest hunting ground in the next eight years?” Riewoldt said. “And you automatically look at your under-22 players on each list.”
He noted that Richmond is the only club among the contenders currently sitting above Port Adelaide in the draft order, and highlighted the club's young talent, including Dougie Cochrane, as a key factor.
“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,” he said.
“With young Dougie Cochrane coming through, it makes it an interesting discussion. I think Richmond, with that list of young players, they are the frontrunner for Zak Butters at the moment.”
The Tigers' young nucleus
Richmond has been unable to get games into many of its highly-touted 2024 draftees due to injury. Former No.7 pick Josh Smillie has yet to debut, while Tom Sims has not played this year. Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong have all played 10 games or less.
But Riewoldt believes the long-term potential of that group is significant. “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 said.
“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.”
A dissenting view
Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown challenged Riewoldt's assessment, arguing the Tigers are still years away from contending. “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 countered: “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.”
What this means for the AFL landscape
The Butters sweepstakes highlight the growing importance of long-term list management in the AFL. With Tasmania entering the competition in coming years, clubs are increasingly looking to build sustained success through young talent and strategic acquisitions.
For Richmond, landing Butters would signal a clear intent to accelerate their rebuild. For Butters, the decision will shape not only his career but the competitive balance of the league for years to come.