Port Adelaide youngster Zak Butters reveals how he initially struggled with move to SA as sister battled ice addiction

Zak Butters stood in front of his Port Adelaide teammates in December and told them his sister had been fighting an ice addiction. He said sharing his family’s story helped his mindset.

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Port Adelaide youngster Zak Butters has revealed how he initially struggled with moving interstate because it meant being away from his sister as she battled an ice addiction.

Butters landed at the Power from Victorian under-18 side Western Jets via pick 12 in the 2018 AFL national draft and hit the ground running by playing the first seven games, before finishing with 19 in his debut season.

But what footy followers and most teammates would not have realised was that the 19-year-old from Bacchus Marsh found it difficult settling in – even though his mum, Renee, shifted to Adelaide with him – because he was weighed down thinking about his sister, Tiarni, 22.

Tiarni got hooked on ice – a street term for crystal methamphetamine – when Butters was 16, starting a three-year addiction that included running away from home and living with drug dealers.

Zak Butters (far right) with his family – sister Tiarni, nan Robyn, mum Renee and dad Wayne. Picture: Supplied by family

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Butters told The Advertiser it took opening up to coach Ken Hinkley and teammate Robbie Gray midway through last year to “accept moving interstate”.

“I was letting it get to me,” Butters said.

“Stuff was going on back home that was probably affecting my mindset over here because I felt at times I needed to be there with my family.

“When you’re too busy worrying about that, your mind is not where it needs to be.

“During last year it was getting pretty intense.

“I spoke to Kenny probably midway through the year and he was there for me.

“I felt like I could trust him opening up and talking to him, and it made things heaps easier.”

When Port players told deeply personal stories in front of the entire squad and coaches on the club’s pre-season camp in Maroochydore in December, Butters was first to speak.

“Other than to a bunch of people … I’d been holding it in way too long,” he said.

Zak Butters (right) celebrates a goal in Port’s first pre-season game against Brisbane last month. Picture: AAP/Darren England

“I instantly felt better.

“It was so taxing and draining.

“You don’t feel like you’re hiding or lying to your mates.

“It’s why we’re doing it (story sharing) as a playing group – to understand your teammates better and for you to understand everyone has their own stories and you’re not the only one going through it.

“All the boys have had their struggles.”

Butters learnt about Tiarni’s addiction after she went missing for eight months about four years ago.

Tiarni would move between dealers’ houses in Melbourne, at times hiding from her dad, Wayne, when he tried to track her down.

“She’d come home every now and then and stay for one night, but then was off again,” Butters said.

“Mum and dad obviously went through a fair bit with that.”

The news soon spread around Bacchus Marsh and its population of 22,000, as well as at Butters’ local football club, Darley.

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Zak Butters on Port’s photo day this year. Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

“It was hard at that stage going to the footy club and going to school because everyone knew,” he said.

“I used to be embarrassed and used to think people would judge me.”

But Butters is now proud of Tiarni, who has since moved in with him and Renee in Adelaide, and has been clean for six months.

“I’m proud because I understand how hard it is to try to get clean and actually go through the battle and actually want to be better,” Butters said.

“A lot of people in that situation don’t want help.”

In 2016, Renee and Wayne spoke to Four Corners about the impact ice was having on their family and the cost of Tiarni’s addiction.

Butters said Port officials – who knew about his family’s struggle when the club drafted him – coaches and teammates had been very understanding about the issue.

“I’ve had the best pre-season I’ve probably ever had and it’s been good to feel less pressure on my shoulders in terms of off-field and worrying so much,” he said.

“Now I’m enjoying my footy and all the coaches have been really good in that area.

“I feel like I can talk about it and it’s easier to come to trainings.

“It’s all much better at the moment.”