Jason Horne-Francis has shared his surprise that Richmond have emerged as the apparent frontrunners for Port Adelaide teammate and star free agent Zak Butters.

Butters’ contract is the hottest trade topic of the AFL season with the superstar midfielder weighing up whether to stick it out with the Power or return home to Victoria to be closer to family.

The Western Bulldogs have long been interested, with captain Marcus Bontempelli leading the charge, while Essendon and Geelong also offer bases somewhat closer to his home in Darley outside Bacchus Marsh.

And that’s what stuck out to Horne-Francis when Triple M’s Chris Dittmar reported the Tigers are the “absolute frontrunner” as things stand.

“There’s a deal on the table now for $18 million over eight years,” Dittmar said on Thursday.

Horne-Francis on Friday revealed he had heard the report and still remained shocked — but not by the dollar figure.

“I’m surprised that Richmond would be the frontrunner,” he said on 104.7 Triple M.

Co-host and Crows great Mark Ricciuto asked: “What have you heard?”

Horne-Francis backtracked slightly to suggest he was not privy to any particular information but it still proved a telling answer, with Port players clearly well aware of, and perhaps anticipating, the pull home for Butters.

“Nah, just like with the clubs that are closer to whereabouts he lives,” Horne-Francis said.

“I just thought they’d maybe be a little bit closer (in the race) — but hopefully Port are the frontrunners at the moment.”

Port Adelaide’s mixed form this season has not helped their cause with a four-match losing streak dropping Josh Carr’s side to 16th on the ladder.

“We’re not ruling out Port Adelaide, it’s (the Richmond contract) just the biggest offer on the table right now,” Dittmar said.

Ricciuto incredibly declared Butters is out the door.

“I am (ruling him out). Yep,” he said.

“I reckon he’s going home, because he wants to.”

Horne-Francis chimed in: “I’d like to know where Ditts got his mail too.”

Dittmar replied: “I’ll tell you one day when it comes out.”

The latest rumour arrived after North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson popped up in Adelaide last week and confirmed his club’s interest in signing Horne-Francis.

“I think there are 17 clubs interested in Zak Butters,” he said.

“We’re working hard to get better as a footy club and hopefully our form improves a little bit more in the second half of the year.”

Two weeks ago Butters said he is closing in on making a decision on his future.

“It’s obviously a big decision,” he said.

“You think about everything ... there’s emotion attached to it, definitely.

“No matter what the decision is, it’s going to be a pretty emotional one from my end, no matter what I do.”