AFL News Update with Will Faulkner - Fox Footy (14.09.2026)

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Mark Duffield (1:02)

Yes, we chose Freewheel and Will Faulkner from Fox Footy joins us on the line now. Will, welcome.

Will Faulkner (1:08)

Thank you for having me, Duff. Love the intro as always.

Mark Duffield (1:12)

Mate, the big news over the weekend, apart from the two semi-finals, Zach Butter's decision to join the Bulldogs and not Geelong. What did you make of it?

Will Faulkner (1:23)

I think it caught most people by surprise. I mean, Geelong really had been the frontrunner the last three weeks or so, up until his eventual decision. So I think it definitely caught a lot by surprise. But yeah, the Bulldogs in the club that he supported as a young kid, we know that Marcus Bonzapelli was his hero growing up as well.

It all fits, it all makes sense. But it's a big blow for Geelong, really. I mean, he's probably the finishing touch for the Cats. And there's now reports maybe that it's making Toby Green have second thoughts on whether he wants to join Geelong. So almost a chain reaction of Butters' decision. So for the Cats to lose on Friday night out in Perth and then hear that Butters isn't coming to their club. And then, you know, still uncertainty around one of their unrestricted pre-agents potentially coming in Toby Green, it's been a rough 72 hours for Cats fans. But yeah, it's a massive trope for the Bulldogs. And with a fully fit list next year, it's hard to see them not pushing for top four and even something better.

Mark Duffield (2:21)

So nine years, and we're thinking somewhere between $1.8 and $2 million a year. So we're looking at what 16 to $18 million over the term of the contract?

Will Faulkner (2:32)

Yes, so comfortably the longest contract on that amount of money. So floating around that $2 million a year, Mark. We haven't seen a contract like that. In the AFL, NAS was around $2 million a year for two years last year. Obviously, the length of this deal is four times that. So speaks to the magnitude of how big a win this is for the Bulldogs. And they're obviously willing to go all in for a player of his calibre. We know why. He's one of the AFL's most courageous player multiple times. He's finished right up there in the ground low.

Yeah, as I said, hopefully, he's going to finish in touch with Bulldogs fans. And he's probably the biggest free agency group we've seen for a while in the AFL.

Mark Duffield (3:14)

So how does this trade get done now, do you think? Is it a case of Port Adelaide? How are they better off, I guess? Are they better off taking the free agency compensation, or are they better off forcing the dogs to the negotiating table on a trade?

Will Faulkner (3:32)

I think the dogs will be over the position, obviously, that they would want them to take the compensation pick and then maybe have a few side deals. I think whether or not players get involved will make that interesting.

To answer your question, though, I think this will be one that the power will get the dogs to the table and make. As a full blown trade, obviously, they can, you know, match any bid or offer from the Bulldogs. So as a restricted free agent, I suspect this will be one I want. Yeah, a lot of picks. Port's in a bit of a unique situation where they have Dougie Cochran, who's probably the best player in the pool this year, in this year's draft, who is an NGA product at the power. And then next year, they have both a father son pick and also an NGA product, who are expected to go in the top 10 So the pool, I'd like to know what they want. They want lots of draft picks.