Zak Butters wins 2024 John Cahill Medal, Jason Horne-Francis finishes second

Zak Butters has confirmed himself as a modern great of Port Adelaide after becoming the first player in almost a decade to win successive John Cahill Medals. See the full top-10 here.

Zak Butters has become the first Port Adelaide player since Robbie Gray to win consecutive Power best-and-fairest awards.

Butters edged rising star Jason Horne-Francis by seven votes to claim the John Cahill Medal at Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.

The accolade follows Butters finishing third in the Brownlow Medal count and earning a second straight All-Australian blazer.

Elevated to the vice-captaincy this season, Butters played each of the Power’s 26 games, averaging 27 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 4.7 marks and four tackles.

MORE: INSIDE ZAK BUTTERS’ RISE TO AFL SUPERSTARDOM

He polled 159 votes in Friday night’s count, Horne-Francis recorded 152 and key defender Aliir Aliir was third with 129.

First-year skipper Connor Rozee (118 votes) and wantaway defender Dan Houston (117) rounded the top five.

Butters is the fourth Power player to claim back-to-back John Cahill Medals.

Gray was the most recent to do it, earning three in a row from 2014-16.

Premiership midfielder Kane Cornes (2007-08) and flag-winning captain Warren Tredrea (2004-05) also achieved the feat.

Zak Butters after winning the John Cahill Medal last year. Picture: PAFC

Jason Horne-Francis finished second behind Butters. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Horne-Francis’ ascent to AFL stardom this year was recognised with his runner-up finish.

The 21-year-old on-baller played 24 of Port’s 26 matches on the back of a full pre-season.

He averaged career-highs in disposals (21.7), inside 50s (4.8), clearances (5.7) and tackles (2.96).

Horne-Francis, who was named in the 44-man All-Australian squad for the first time, also received the Power’s Gavin Wanganeen Medal as the best player under 21.

In other accolades, hardworking midfielder Willem Drew took home his second Fos Williams Medal, a player-voted honour for best team man, while wingman Jase Burgoyne earnt the Coaches Award as most improved.

Drew’s consistency in roles that allowed teammates to shine did not go unnoticed in his first season in the Power’s leadership group.

After featuring in 13 games across his first two seasons, Burgoyne, 21, lined up in 23 this year and starred in the club’s home semi-final win over Hawthorn.

Third-year ruckman Dante Visentini received the John McCarthy Medal for work in the community for his role in the club’s Power to End Violence Against Women program.

Experienced Power defender Tom Clurey won the club’s SANFL best-and-fairest, the AR McLean Medal.

Originally published as Zak Butters wins 2024 John Cahill Medal, Jason Horne-Francis finishes second