Power brace for star midfielder's free agency call

Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr has all but conceded he will lose restricted free agent Zak Butters as he attempts to lift the club back into finals contention next year.

An injured Butters was an onlooker as the Power rounded out Carr's first year at the helm with a 16.9 (105) to 14.11 (95) victory over Essendon on Sunday.

All signs point towards the 25-year-old dual All-Australian moving home to Victoria, where a host of suitors are lining up with offers.

The Western Bulldogs have long been in the hunt for Butters' signature, with Geelong, Richmond and Collingwood also interested in the Power vice-captain.

Port have the right - and are expected to - match any rival's bid for their vice-captain and force a trade.

"We'll get a better idea this week. We've obviously got all the exit (meetings) this week from Monday to Wednesday," Carr said on Sunday.

"It'll be pretty clear from there, I would've thought. You never know what could happen (but) history will tell you if you get into this position now you're up against it.

"You get to this position and nothing's happened, we'll get through the next few days and get some real clarity around it.

"Whatever the answer is, we know which way that's leaning, we make the most of it."

Butters has not played since sustaining a "high-grade" ankle syndesmosis injury during a loss to St Kilda in round 18.

Carr led the Power to a 7-16 record in his first season in charge after taking over from long-time mentor Ken Hinkley.