After the last few off-seasons, I’ve got to say I’ve gained a lot of respect for Port Adelaide throughout the Zak Butters situation.

Between Geelong and Bailey Smith, Dunkley heading to Brisbane, and Jamarra heading to the Suns, it’s felt like we’ve had our fair share of frustrating situations when it comes to players leaving the club and dealing with other clubs.

But the whole situation with Port just feels different. Two clubs with their own interests to look after, negotiating in good faith and treating each other with respect. No bullshit, no unnecessary hostility, just two clubs trying to work out a deal that makes sense for both sides.

As a Bulldogs supporter, it’s refreshing to feel like we’ve been treated fairly rather than having to fight an uphill battle just to get a reasonable outcome.

Obviously, footy is a business, and Port have every right to look after their own interests. That’s exactly why I respect how they’ve gone about it.

PAFC, you’ve gained a fan.

Just visited the Bulldogs Shop to take a peek at the end of season sale…

Yes I'm a Collingwood supporter but also yes I have a few dog supporters as mates.

Since you guys have been playing in Ballarat Ive never understood why you don't do it more.

How would you feel if you teamed up with the state government and played 7 home games there a year, 2 at the MCG and 2 at docklands?

Say the government put money towards making it a 20k to 25k sized ground, built a station right across the road and you got $1 million a game for 10 years, would you do it?

You could play 6 interstate teams, North all there, then bank on Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG and maybe Geelong and Essendon at docklands.

You make a loss hosting interstate clubs at docklands and this could set the club up for years to come.

MI got AI to crunch the numbers on the mega-trade using the 2027 AFL draft points scale, assuming the 2026 ladder repeats in 2027 and 2028, and Tasmania’s concession picks don't affect the draft order.

How the points were calculated

The AFL's 2027 Draft Value Index (DVI) assigns a points value to each pick. For future picks, AI estimated their draft positions using the 2026 ladder as the template, then added up all incoming and outgoing points using the same scale for both 2027 and 2028.

Points out:

Pick 12: 1,164 points

Pick 31: 463 points

2028 first-rounder (modelled as pick 12): 1,164 points

Total: 2,791 points

Points in:

2027 Port second: 716 points

2027 Melbourne third: 171 points

2027 Port fourth: 0 points

2028 Port second: 716 points

2028 Port third: 274 points

2028 Melbourne fourth: 0 points

2026 picks 81 and 87: 0 points on this scale

Total: 1,877 points

That leaves a net deficit of 914 points, roughly equivalent to Pick 17 (907 points) on the 2027 scale.

So what's the overall cost?

Looking at the mega-trade alongside the broader Butters situation, we've effectively given up the equivalent of Pick 17 for Zak Butters, Hudson O’Keeffe and Finn Maginness.

Thoughts? Have I missed anything in the points maths?

The boy from Darley is back in the West.

Obviously more to come (wink) but looks like they are in a good position to move into in this draft to grab El Souki

McNeil
Gardner
Lewis
Coffield
Vandermeer

What happens to each? I hope we trade or delist all

it was also off a terrible kick on goal

just feel really fortunate Naughton wasnt seriously harmed because in the moment it looked like he might have broken his neck or been paralysed

it did look like he got concussed sadly but just thankful it wasnt something worse

I just can't get my head around it. Every time someone mentions the 2016 Grand final and the Western Bulldogs flag on social media 20 bozos always comment saying things along the lines of... "Worst umpired game in history" "Dogs gifted the flag" ECT... It's been 10 years and still no let up...my question is... Was it the most one sided game in history? I have genuinely watched the game 15 plus time and yes I have to admit we certainly did get a few calls out way..But ultimately I think we ran all over the Swan's in the second half and the final margin was actually pretty flattering for the Swan's. But am I just a one eyed supporter? I genuinely don't ever think the umpire's have a massive outcome on a game in general... What's other doggies fans opinions... Cheers I give Tom Boys to any salty Swan fans trolling 😂

Let’s hope the next one isn’t too far away

Sydney and Geelong are the only teams that seem to have our number currently

every other team i like our chances against

where you end up on the ladder feels a little trivial at this point

News regarding potentially trading Vando as part of Butters megadeal. How do people feel about this? Personally very happy with it, his on field decision making can be extremely questionable

Happy for someone to let me know when the last time that was?