Former Darley star Zak Butters’ breakout AFL season has resulted in him winning the AFL Coaches’ Association AFL Champion Player of the Year Award.
The Port Adelaide midfielder polled votes in 16 of the 23 matches this season to finish with 109 votes, earning maximum coaches votes in seven rounds.
The Power star beat Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (102 votes) and fellow Brownlow fancy Nick Daicos (99 votes) to take home the coveted award at the AFL Awards night in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The midfielder averaged career-best numbers for disposals (27.5 per game), marks (five) and clearances (4.6), and ranks elite for score assists and score involvements this season.
Butters will have to take a bigger suitcase back to Adelaide following the awards night.
As well as winning the coaches award, Butters claimed the Robert Rose Most Courageous Award as voted by his peers.
He finished third in the Leigh Matthews Trophy for the Most Valuable Player voted by the players, behind Bontempelli and Daicos.
He was also named as a follower in the All-Australian team, his first selection in the team.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was thrilled to see his midfield star take out the coaches award.
“Zak is an exceptional person and the ultimate professional, and we are seeing the rewards this season of all the work he puts in,” he said.
“Considering his size, he is fearless with the way he attacks the ball, and he’s got this amazing ability to make special things happen for our team and to influence a game like not many others can.
“I believe that being voted by the coaches as the league’s champion player is one of the highest honours a player can receive, and I could not be prouder that Zak has been recognised with this award.”
Tara Murray
