Simeon Thomas-Wilson: Port Adelaide can’t say for sure it will cope without superstar Zak Butters

Port Adelaide assistant coach Chad Cornes says it is not all ‘doom and gloom’ at Alberton after the Zak Butters news. But, SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON asks, how can the Power be so sure?

Port Adelaide says it can cope without Zak Butters in the wake of his knee surgery that will rule him out for six to eight weeks.

But it will not really know because the Power vice-captain actually hasn’t been sidelined over the past two years since he became one of the star midfielders of the competition.

It is quite remarkable that the 24-year-old has been so ever present for the Power, given the way he constantly puts his body on the line during games.

The last time he missed matches was in 2022, when a knee injury suffered against Sydney in Round 14 saw him sit out the next two games.

The Power won its first, by just two points over Gold Coast, and lost the second to Fremantle by eight points.

But that was a different time – so, too, the period when he missed a fair chunk of the 2021 season with a nasty ankle injury.

Zak Butters after being subbed out of the qualifying final last year. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Butters had yet to make the full-time switch to the midfield, that came in 2023, and become one of the premier onballers in the competition with two All-Australian honours.

Back then it was now-captain Connor Rozee in the midst of his breakout season as a midfielder inspiring the Power.

But while Rozee is the skipper, Butters seems like that player teammates would want to go to war with, based on how hard he cracks in.

Take the clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium last year when Rozee was missing, for example.

In his first game as acting captain, Butters set the tone in what ended up being a famous win over the Cats.

He tore manically around the field and seemingly just willed the Power along.

And then standing up the following week in the win over Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein

Even going back to the rib injury he suffered against the Cats in last year’s qualifying final loss, and was subbed out at half-time – how much does that tell about how the Power could fare without him?

When he was subbed out of the game, the Power was down by 20 points.

The final margin was 84 points, and the Cats were rampant in the second half after a Chris Scott masterclass.

And the Power was just poor.

Maybe it is the following week where we can get more of an idea of his impact on the group.

Despite still feeling the rib injury, and copping external criticism for being subbed out, again Butters set the tone for the Power in what ended up being a thrilling semi-final win over Hawthorn as he crunched multiple Hawks.

Earlier this month Port Adelaide AFL games record holder Travis Boak said that effort was inspiring.

“I don’t think people understand just how bad his ribs were,” Boak told the Dyl and Friends Podcast.

“I did my ribs maybe the year before and I missed four weeks and he’s gone out and done that just goes straight in.

“He is tough as nails.”

So it is likely the Power won’t be able to replace Butters’ tough-as-nails approach in his absence.

But the midfield is the area where the Power has depth.

If it was key-defender Aliir Aliir instead, the alarm bells would well and truly be ringing at Alberton.

But Jason Horne-Francis looks primed to elevate his game into the top echelon of the competition and there will be another big boost if Rozee can bounce back after his mixed 2024.

In Ollie Wines, Willem Drew, and even Travis Boak, there is experience, while Jackson Mead could be a beneficiary and actually get minutes in his preferred midfield position.

It also might open up an avenue for Will Lorenz, who came on early during the practice match against Adelaide, into the side or even for Hugh Jackson – who has impressed at times as a midfielder in pre-season – to finally make his debut.

The Power’s draw while Butters is out also presents it with an opportunity to still be in the hunt when he returns.

Power fans might be getting increasingly worried about Collingwood in Round 1, but from there, Port has Richmond in Round 2, St Kilda in Round 3 and North Melbourne in Round 7 – all at Adelaide Oval.

Before last week you would have probably put Essendon at Marvel in Round 3 in the win basket – and it is still one the Power will probably fancy, despite the Bombers’ impressive pre-season showing against the Cats.

Hawthorn in Gather Round and Sydney at the SCG the following week are the other matches Butters is likely to miss.

It is going to be largely uncharted territory for the Power.

Knee surgery finds bigger Butters problem

– Matt Turner

Port Adelaide is confident Zak Butters’ injury will not derail the start to their season.

The Power was dealt a massive blow after learning Butters, the winner of the club’s past two best-and-fairest awards, would miss the next six to eight weeks.

The vice-captain was already going to miss the start of the season but after having a loose body in his knee tidied up during arthroscopic surgery, Butters’ recovery period has been extended.

Port opens its season against Collingwood at the MCG in a fortnight before matches against three non-finalists from last year – Richmond (home), Essendon (away) and St Kilda (home).

Then Ken Hinkley’s side faces finals rematches versus Hawthorn (home) and Sydney (away).

Power assistant Chad Cornes said the club was still really positive about how it was placed entering the campaign despite the news.

Zak Butters will miss up to eight weeks. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“There’s no doom and gloom about it,” Cornes said.

“Yes, it hurts you a little bit to hurt Buttsy, but it always gives an opportunity for someone else to step up.

“He’ll get on with business and be attacking his rehab as best as anyone would or could.

“He was a little down when he heard the news, but he’s a pretty positive guy who wants to get the best out of himself.

“He had the operation yesterday and it went well.

“He’ll do everything right in the rehab and might even surprise us and get back a little earlier.”

Butters got through last Friday’s pre-season loss to Adelaide in Mount Barker but his knee “blew up a bit afterwards”, according to Cornes.

“That’s where the concern started,” he said.

Cornes said Willem Drew would ramp up his minutes with Butters missing, while Jackson Mead would feature more on a wing.

Originally published as Simeon Thomas-Wilson: Port Adelaide can’t say for sure it will cope without superstar Zak Butters