Richmond forward Dan Butler in limbo over playing future
Dan Butler will fly to Thailand on Richmond’s end-of-season trip and says he loves the Tigers, but admits he faces ‘a few big decisions’ after meeting with Carlton about a move to Ikon Park.
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Richmond forward Dan Butler wants to stay at Punt Rd but concedes that decision is “out of his hands”.
Butler, 23, met Carlton recently and will shortly jet to Thailand and Bali on Richmond’s footy trip with his future in limbo.
The clever goalsneak starred in the club’s VFL premiership, but played just one AFL game after the mid-season bye as he was squeezed out of the best 22.
Butler booted 21.16 from 15 VFL games, where he averaged a healthy 15.7 disposals and 92 SuperCoach points.
But with teenage sensation Jack Higgins making a bright start to his rehabilitation from serious brain surgery, and a growing chance to return to the field in the first half of 2020, it could be tough for Butler to fight his way back.
“I obviously got dropped a few times but I just wanted to go back to VFL and really buy into the program and play my role there and it ended up being a premiership,” Butler told the Herald Sun.
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“I’m obviously out of contract, so hopefully I can find out in the next couple of weeks what I’m doing.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure yet. I’ve got a few big decisions to make — but I love this club, and I’d love to stay here.
“I’d love to stay, but it’s probably a bit out of my hands at the moment.
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“Obviously, I want to play AFL footy, so that’s going to come into my decision, but this is just such a great club and it’s given me so many opportunities and I wouldn’t be here today without them.
“I’ve obviously got to make some big decisions at the end of the year.”
Butler — who played in the 2017 AFL flag — watched Saturday’s triumph at the MCG with injured teammate Jack Graham and was thrilled housemates Jayden Short and Liam Baker went home with medallions.
Butler’s defensive pressure remains his standout asset while he was also happy at boosting his disposal count this season.
Originally published as Richmond forward Dan Butler in limbo over playing future