The Western Bulldogs have landed Butters, according to the Herald Sun, in a deal that formed part of a five-club trade. The Herald Sun reported the news on Friday, 9 October 2026.
The same report described the move as unlocking other deals, with the Herald Sun quoting Butters as calling the club a "special place to me." The AFL's own trade recap also confirmed Butters as a Bulldog, and the Western Bulldogs' club website announced the signing under the headline "Butters officially a Bulldog."
The wider trade period produced several other outcomes. According to the AFL's recap, a mega deal was completed, Blakey made a significant decision, and King ended up at Hawthorn. Fox Sports reported that Blakey had chosen a new home and that top free agents were signed as the mega deal was finalised. ESPN reported that a Swan had nominated North Melbourne.
The Herald Sun's account centres on the five-club trade as the mechanism that allowed multiple moves to proceed, with Butters' arrival at the Bulldogs the headline outcome. The club's own confirmation followed the initial reporting.
Attention now turns to whether the remaining pieces of the trade period are formally completed and how the Bulldogs' list shapes up once the window closes.
