The moments that made – and nearly broke – Zak Butters ahead of game 100

Zak Butters’ career was nearly over 40 games in. Now, on the eve of game 100, he speaks to SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON about his journey to becoming one of the game’s biggest stars.

Zak Butters ahead of his 100th game on Friday night, pictured on April 24th, 2024, at Alberton Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

On more than one occasion Zak Butters has been described as being way too courageous for his own good on the footy field.

But off the field the Port Adelaide vice-captain and star at one point had the biggest scare a footy player could have.

The daredevil from Darley will run out for his 100th game for the Power on Friday night against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval, as one of the best players in the AFL and a true star.

But there was a fear around those close to Butters that 40 games might be it for the 23-year-old.

In the fourth game of the 2021 season Butters landed awkwardly on his ankle and ruptured his syndesmosis ligament.

Initially it was thought that after surgery he would be back in four weeks.

But something wasn’t right.

When he went to start running again he couldn’t feel his toes or move them.

He had what is called a ‘drop foot’, and it was found that the nerves in his leg had been damaged.

It prompted some very real conversations for the Power star.

“It wasn’t getting any better any time soon so definitely towards the end there were some nervous days before I had some surgery on my knee to fix the nerve issues,” he said.

“There were some conversations where it was sort of about what is next if you can’t get back to footy.

Zak Butters at Alberton Oval ahead of his 100th game on Friday night. Picture: Tom Huntley

“At the time I didn’t really buy into them too much. I was adamant I was getting back.

“But when people around you have those conversations it definitely makes you think and I am very lucky I could get back to playing.

“It sort of makes you think about some other aspects outside of footy, some other avenues and things you enjoy and I feel like I have a lot better balance with all that now.”

Six years into his AFL career, Butters has found his balance.

Living by the beach in Adelaide – his home of Bacchus Marsh is about 50 minutes from Melbourne and Geelong – is something he loves.

He has gotten into golf with his Power teammates as a way of switching off for a couple of hours, although Butters says “I then probably get angry at my game”.

While teammates were getting rounds in, or jetsetting to Europe, during the off-season Butters himself got out of Australia.

But it was to walk the Kokoda Track with one of his best mates away from footy, with a desire to test himself both mentally and physically.

There was also a big gratitude component for Butters, even down to the simplicity of the food he can get in Australia with the Power star by his own admission a fussy eater.

“I feel like I grew as a person from it,” he said.

A foot injury nearly derailed Zak Butters’ career just 40 games in. Picture: Tom Huntley

Unique on the field, Butters is also that away from the game.

Not many have the perspective the Power star has, nor been through what he has.

At the Power’s pre-season training camp in 2019 he got up in front of the group and shared his story about how his sister Tiarni battled an ice addiction.

This meant that Butters initially struggled with moving interstate, being away from his family.

But opening up to coach Ken Hinkley and the now retired Robbie Gray during the middle of that year to truly accept being away from his family.

“There have definitely been a few issues along the way and I feel like they form resilience and shape you as a person along the way,” he said.

“It is not all rainbows and sunshine, there are tough days that you need to get through but they make you appreciate the good days more and I’m definitely a lot more grateful now than I was in my first year.”

However, there was no moment where he thought he might have to try and get back home from Adelaide.

“I guess when you are younger you get a bit homesick and miss your family, home and your mates,” he said.

“But I think that is the sacrifice you have to make.

“There are days when you are like oh it would be nice to be with mum and dad and that but there are a lot more good days than bad days and my mum and dad get to Adelaide a lot and so do my friends.”

Butters heaped praise on his coach.

“Ken has been huge, probably wouldn’t be where I am without him to be honest,” he said.

“He has always been a good sounding board for advice, footy and non footy topics.

“He has just been a really important part of the journey and been there in the good times and the bad times.”

What Tiarni went through has led Butters to do charity work with Ronald McDonald House.

“The charity stuff with Ronald McDonald has been a great escape as well, I think I am putting together some nice pillars in my life,” he said.

Butters has become one of the AFL’s most dynamic midfielders. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“My sister stayed there for a bit when I was younger so I have a real soft spot for it through that connection and I got in touch with the Adelaide house and have been able to do a few things with them.

“I have also been able to form some relationships with some of the kids there and some people down there and I just keep in touch with some of the families and follow the journeys.

“I have also been lucky enough to get some of the kids down here (at Alberton), also to the game and down into the rooms (at Adelaide Oval) so it is nice to see them get something out of it as well.”

And while he is a footy nut and the love for the game is still strong, a weekly coaching session with Sacred Heart College’s team has Butters – who would run the water for local team Darley when he is back in Victoria – appreciating the game in a new way in SA.

“It has been nice seeing footy in a different way,” he said.

“I have seen it in a professional environment ever since I got drafted and stopped playing as a junior so it is nice to see the schoolkids just really enjoy their footy and want to get better.

“It is has been fun to get to know them and hopefully they have a good year and I can be a part of that.”

While he was still playing, Gray’s interest in recruiting love of Butters when he played for the Western Jets played a small part in the Power selecting its current vice-captain.

So could the man who took over Gray’s No. 9 guernsey also start scouting some future Power players this year?

“They do have a few good players, I am sure they will get a couple of drafted but no scouting from me,” he said.