Arabic version: زاك باترز يختار ويسترن بولدوغز كناديه المفضل في دوري كرة القدم الأسترالية

According to ABC News, Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred AFL club after deciding to return home to Victoria.

The Bulldogs confirmed on Saturday morning that Butters had told the club he wanted to join. The club said it would work with Port Adelaide to facilitate a suitable outcome during the upcoming player movement period.

Butters, 26, requested to leave Port Adelaide via free agency in August. He narrowed his choice to the Bulldogs and Geelong before selecting the Bulldogs, the club he supported as a child.

Port Adelaide can match a bid for restricted free agent Butters, which could force the Bulldogs into a trade for the three-time All-Australian. Butters has won three best-and-fairest awards with Port and acted as captain this year while regular skipper Connor Rozee was sidelined by a serious hamstring injury.

His final game for the Power was a round 18 loss to St Kilda, when an ankle syndesmosis injury ended his season early.