Tara Murray
Zak Butters was once again named Port Adelaide’s best player, winning a second straight John Cahill Medal.
The former Darley star polled 159 total votes, finishing seven votes ahead of rising star Jason Horne-Francis and 30 ahead of key defender Aliir Aliir in third place.
It’s been a successful individual season for Butters, with the 24-year-old receiving his second All-Australian blazer and finishing third in the Brownlow Medal count.
Butters played 26 games this season, averaging 27 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 4.7 marks and four tackles.
In his speech, Butters said he loved football, his teammates and the football club.
“I’m so humbled to win this award,” he said. “I’d like to thank a few people that definitely saved me throughout the year.
“My teammates, I love playing with you, I love rocking up to training. Congrats to Jason and Aliir as well (on placing second and third).”
Butters paid tribute to his coaches as well.
He said that Josh Carr was always right and that he gave him plenty of confidence, while Ken Hinkley was someone he had a lot of love for.
“He’s helped me out so much since I got to the club,” Butters said. “When I’m struggling a bit, just going to his house for a chat or playing some pool…I just love trying to help you win games of footy and I appreciate you leading the football club.”
Butters finished by thanking his family and friends, in particular mum Renee and dad Wayne, as well as his mates back home in Bacchus Marsh and Darley.
His mum was in the room, while his dad was back in Darley watching the best and fairest night.
“They are a great support network and come over to Adelaide to hang out and watch games of footy,” he said of his mates.
“They’ve become good mates of a lot of the boys over here as well. I appreciate them.”
After a disappointing end to the season after being knocked out in the preliminary final, Butters said there was a lot of motivation in the group to get better next year.
“I would have loved to have played a few more games and seen what we could do,” he said. “It drives us more and I know it drives me more.
“I love getting out there with my teammates and I want to be part of it. I’ve been here a little while now and unfortunately lost a few prelims.
“I think each one I’ve lost I’ve got hungrier and hungrier and I like going back and switching off for a week or two but not much longer.
“I think I messaged Ken three or four days after we lost asking what we can do to get better.”
