The $2m reason Port Adelaide must defend Zak Butters to the end amid umpire abuse fine
AFL legend Matthew Lloyd says Port Adelaide must do everything in their power to overturn Zak Butters' $1500 fine for umpire abuse, as they attempt to convince him to stay at Alberton long-term.
The Power have vowed to challenge the Tribunal's guilty verdict, after umpire Nick Foot alleged that the star midfielder asked him "how much are they paying you?", with Butters adamant he has been misheard.
The tribunal's decision has been widely panned, given the umpire microphone did not pick up what was said, meaning the only evidence is what both parties claim happened.
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Captain Zak Butters was shocked at the report of abusive language. Twitter
Lloyd says Port needs to back their man to the hilt and prove they can overturn this fine, not for money, but as part of their push to win Butters' signature.
The 25-year-old looms as potentially the biggest free agent in the game's history at the end of the season, and will command offers upwards of $2m per season, potentially over a decade.
He has been strongly linked with a move home to Victoria, with the Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Hawthorn, Geelong, Essendon and Carlton all in the mix.
Bombers champion Lloyd believes the free agency situation just heaps more pressure on Port Adelaide, as they attempt to fight on Butters' behalf.
"Port Adelaide also want to keep Zak Butters. He's their number one man and he's out contract at the end of the year," Lloyd told Nine's Today.
"They'll want to support him 100 per cent on this and fight it. It's not about the money, it's about having his name cleared."
Zak Butters leads the team off after the loss. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The uproar caused by the Butters saga has also provided an opportunity for rival clubs to show their support for the star midfielder this week, as they plant the seeds in his mind that the grass could be greener on their side.
Essendon coach Brad Scott took the opportunity in his press conference to call out the tribunal's verdict on Wednesday.
"Probably like every footy fan, I'm waiting for an explanation as to how you can take one person's word over another," Scott told reporters.
"There's apparently no evidence other than what one person said versus what the other person said.
"So how you form a conclusion based on that is totally beyond me."
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on Thursday called the situation a "debacle", saying the tribunal system was potentially not the best way to handle the saga.
The tribunal stated it was "satisfied on the balance of probabilities" that Foot's evidence was stronger than Butters', arguing the player's version of events changed slightly throughout the week.
The Power put out a statement in the aftermath, slamming the decision.
"The club believes strongly in Butters' account of events and will formally contest the verdict," the Port Adelaide statement said.
