Geelong Cats new frontrunner for Zak Butters, Western Bulldogs Richmond, Ollie Hollands

A fresh twist in the Zak Butters sweepstakes has come to light.

Plus, Ollie Hollands has publicly addressed his playing future amid speculation. Read on in Trade Whispers.

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FRESH BUTTERS UPDATE AS FRONTRUNNER EMERGES

There’s reportedly a “new favourite” in the race for Zak Butters.

The Western Bulldogs had long been considered the leading candidate to land his signature, while Geelong has been in the hunt, and Richmond and Collingwood have lobbed lucrative offers.

However, after months of speculation about which club, if any, was ahead of the pack, Seven’s Mitch Cleary now reports Geelong has surged to the front.

“For 12-18 months, I’ve had (the Bulldogs) as favourites — I think there’s a new favourite now, and it’s the Geelong Football Club,” Cleary said on Sunday.

“They are coming with a rush, the Cats — there’s growing confidence down the highway that they’ll be able to secure Zak Butters.

“I’m not saying the Bulldogs are out of the race; I’m not putting a line through Collingwood or Richmond.

“But the Cats are coming hard for Zak Butters, and there is confidence growing.”

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It comes days after the revelation that the Magpies had offered a club-record deal in the vicinity of $14 million over eight years.

The Tigers have had a well-documented offer on the table totalling roughly $18 million, while the Dogs have the emotional connection to Butters as his childhood club, and the Cats boast the allure of perpetual flag contention.

The superstar midfielder — long touted to depart Alberton after eight years — has maintained all year long he’ll wait until the end of the season to make his free agency call.

But as a restricted free agent, it’s expected that Port Adelaide will match any contending offer sheet, forcing a trade.

EXILED BLUE RESPONDS OVER FUTURE

Out-of-favour Carlton wingman Ollie Hollands has given a hint over his footy future amid trade speculation.

Having reportedly met with North Melbourne about a potential move, Hollands has plenty to consider as he remains without a 2027 contract.

After being taken with Pick 11 in the 2022 draft, Hollands quickly became a mainstay of the Carlton side, playing 65 games across his first three seasons.

Hollands then played the first eight games of the 2026 season under Michael Voss, but has managed just three AFL matches since Josh Fraser took the reins at Carlton in Round 10.

And after a starring VFL performance on Sunday afternoon, the 22-year-old gave a cagey answer when prompted on his future on Fox Footy.

“Obviously (been) a busy week, but I think I want to just continue to play footy for the rest of the year and let all that sort of stuff unfold towards the back end of the year,” Hollands said.

The Kangaroos are eyeing outside speed, having reportedly targeted St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson before he recommitted at Moorabbin.

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