Butters bombshell throws Cats ‘curveball’… but ‘all-in’ play for star free agent tipped — Trade Whispers

Zak Butters’ shock call has thrown Geelong a Toby Greene “curveball” ... and why the Cats will be “all in” on Matt Rowell. Plus a star cricketer rules out an AFL return.

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BUTTERS BOMBSHELL THROWS CATS A GREENE ‘CURVEBALL’

Zak Butters’ decision to nominate the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination looms as a “curveball” for Geelong’s chances of landing Toby Greene, reports Damian Barrett.

Greene, a triple All-Australian and two-time best and fairest winner, is weighing up his footy future after 15 seasons at the Giants.

The Giants captain is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can walk to the club of his choosing. He’s met with both Geelong and Essendon in recent weeks as he considers returning to Victoria for family reasons, although he hasn’t ruled out re-signing with the Giants.

Greene earlier this month revealed he’d spoken with fellow free agent Butters about the possibility of joining forces at Geelong. But it was confirmed on Saturday that Butters had chosen the Bulldogs instead of the Cats.

Speaking on Channel 9 on Sunday morning, Barrett suggested Butters’ decision had “caused problems” for the Cats’ pursuit of Greene.

“It was effectively a double whammy approach to Zak Butters and Toby Greene,” Barrett told The Sunday Footy Show.

“And now it may just be cause for Toby Greene to have a rethink on the desperation that he may have had to get there alongside Zak Butters.

“I do expect it to be a curveball in those negotiations.”

It was put to Barrett that Geelong’s status as a destination club wouldn’t deter Greene from going.

Barrett replied: “Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised though, if it just does make him think about it for a bit longer than he may have otherwise, had Butters chosen to go there.”

Greene said the family pull in Victoria was the main reason he was weighing up returning to his home state.

‘ALL-IN’: BUTTERS DECISION SET TO FUEL CATS’ ROWELL RAID

Butters’ Bulldogs call means Geelong “will be all-in” on Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell next season, according to Herald Sun chief football writer Jay Clark.

The Bulldogs, as well as Melbourne, had reportedly been chasing Rowell this year, despite the Gold Coast midfielder being contracted until the end of 2027.

Rowell, however, will remain with the Suns next year after turning down advances from multiple Victorian clubs.

But Rowell’s future beyond 2027 – when he’ll be eligible for free agency – remains uncertain.

Clark last week reported Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond, as well as the Demons, would next year try to lure Rowell home to Victoria with “offers in the vicinity of $2 million a year”.

Writing in The Tackle on Sunday night, Clark reported Rowell seemed “all but certain” to move clubs after the 2027 season – and the “laid-back lifestyle down the Geelong highway” would appeal.

“Every club will be keen,” Clark wrote for CODE Sports. “But even though Rowell comes from Oakleigh and Carey Grammar in Melbourne’s east, Rowell likes life out of the spotlight.

“Collingwood would love him, too, but is Rowell up for the attention that comes with the black and white stripes? Maybe not.”

Rowell has played 128 games since being taken by Gold Coast with Pick 1 in the 2019 draft. He won the 2025 Brownlow Medal, while also being named in the All-Australian side and claimed the Suns’ best and fairest award in the same year.

‘SHUT THE DOOR’: STAR CRICKETER RULES OUT AFL RETURN

Star Victorian all-rounder Will Sutherland has ruled out a return to footy, despite past advances from Collingwood and reports of interest from Geelong this year.

Sutherland has been a key figure on the Australian domestic cricket scene for almost a decade, playing for Victoria at both first-class and List A level while also playing 73 BBL games for the Melbourne Renegades. He also played two ODIs for Australia in early 2024.

Sutherland spent most of 2017 agonising over whether to pursue a cricket or AFL career after impressing in both codes at junior level. He eventually turned his back on footy due to his “love and passion for the game of cricket”.

Zero Hanger reporter Mark Stevens in July this year suggested there were “whispers” Geelong “had an eye” on Sutherland as a potential Category B rookie.

And Sutherland told CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny that Collingwood had previously reached out to him about a tempting cross-code move.

But Sutherland said he was now all in on cricket.

“Collingwood was sending some contracts over around the age of 20, 21. So I was definitely thinking about it then,” Sutherland told CODE Sports.

“And then I’ve had a few back stress fractures, and that puts you out for four, five, six months. That certainly gets the cogs turning. You don’t really get back stress fractures playing footy. So there’s pros and cons of both. But I’m not regretting my decision at any point. I think we can shut the door on it.”

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