AFL

The Western Bulldogs have long been considered the favorite to land Port Adelaide star Zak Butters in this year’s free agency period.

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But Geelong, over the past couple of weeks, according to reports, have moved ahead of the Bulldogs in the pecking order, although this is just speculation.

Given the Cats’ appetite to land Butters, the Bulldogs have to be wary of putting all their eggs in one basket, because if they miss out on Zak, where the club will pivot to is an interesting thought.

And it appears the Bulldogs already have a plan B if needed.

MORE: St Kilda demand Geelong pay up in Rowan Marshall trade

According to the Herald Sun’s Scott Gullan, who was on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night, the Bulldogs are ready to pivot to Gold Coast Suns star Matt Rowell if Butters chooses Geelong.

“As we know, Geelong has edged clear — that’s the mail,” Gullan said via Fox Sports. “And we’re going to find out soon from Zak who he wants to go to, but I can tell you tonight that the Bulldogs have already got contingency plans.

“They’re all chips in for Matt Rowell. They met with him, as did other clubs like Collingwood and Essendon last year, and they were very impressed with him. And he was very impressed with Luke Beveridge. So, what’s going to happen is (the Dogs) are going to have another go in this trade period.”

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Rowell the right move for Dogs?

Well, it is clear the Bulldogs want more midfield help for Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards, and there is no denying that either Butters or Rowell would help.

For Rowell, he could be seen as the ideal Tom Liberatore replacement as well, after the midfielder announced his retirement.

That bruising battering ram of an inside midfielder, Rowell, coming to the Bulldogs would be a good move and strengthen the midfield.

Of course, the club wants Butters, but having to «settle» for a Brownlow medalist isn’t a bad consolation prize, is it?

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