Zak Butters wins 2024 John Cahill Medal, Jason Horne-Francis finishes second
Zak Butters has revealed how he battled niggling injuries for much of the 2024 season on his way to a second John Cahill Medal — and responded to those who question his toughness.
Port Adelaide
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Port Adelaide star Zak Butters has played down his finals rib injury, saying although it is one of the most painful he has had, it is simply part of the game.
Butters battled a cracked rib during the Power’s last two major-round matches, only becoming public after the club’s preliminary final loss to Sydney at the SCG.
Speaking after his second consecutive Port best-and-fairest win on Friday night, the 24-year-old said plenty of players across the competition pushed through pain to front each week.
He pointed to dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale, who had a heel issue for two months going into the grand final and tore the plantar fascia on his left foot during the decider, but was one of the Lions’ best in their flag triumph.
MORE: INSIDE ZAK BUTTERS’ RISE TO AFL SUPERSTARDOM
Butters, who did not miss a game this year, said: “You’ve got to keep fronting up … and seeing how resilient you are”.
“I’ve had a fair few injuries over my time and this is probably one of the more painful ones,” Butters said.
“For most players, you go through stuff you don’t want to go through, but that’s what footy is and that’s what it takes to be at the best and try to play good games for 26, 27 games, which is a lot of footy.
“I’m not going to say it affected me or sit here and make excuses.
“I was a test (to play) for most of the finals, but so was I for another four or five games throughout the year.
“I’m no different to a lot of players in the league.”
Butters was humbled to win the best-and-fairest two years in a row, finishing ahead of Jason Horne-Francis and Aliir Aliir.
His accolade followed back-to-back All-Australian honours, finishing third in the Brownlow Medal and being named the AFL Players’ Association’s Most Courageous Player for a second straight season.
AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh and Kane Cornes debate the commentary around Zak Butters and his rib injury.#AFL@SENBreakfastpic.twitter.com/5BaGALoCtT
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) September 11, 2024
The Power vice-captain did not take “too much” umbrage at anyone who questioned his grit.
“Not everyone knew at the club but the coaches knew and my family knew, and everyone that needed to know knew what was going on,” said Butters, who played with a fractured collarbone earlier this year.
Zak Butters that is elite! 🤩#AFLSaintsPowerpic.twitter.com/186MJFoQ2M
— AFL (@AFL) June 30, 2024
“Other people in the media have a job to do.
“Do I draw inspiration from it? Sometimes it gives you a bit of an edge, but I like to think I’m competitive enough as it is and challenge myself enough to get that from within myself.”
Butters texted his coach Ken Hinkley about five days after the preliminary final loss, saying “I miss footy already”.
“It is a big part of your life,” he said.
“When it backs off for a week, you feel a little bit lost and are trying to deal with a lot of emotions, get over things and move on.
“I think the closer you get (to success), the hungrier you get and you realise it is pretty hard to get there.
“But I’ve got a lot of trust in the group, the coaches and what we’re trying to set out to be as a club.”
Butters, who hails from Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, described himself as very settled in Adelaide ahead of the last two years of his contract.
His off-season plans include emceeing Sam Powell-Pepper’s wedding, being in the bridal party when captain Connor Rozee ties the knot, spending time back home with family and friends, and holidaying “somewhere sunny”.
After winning his second consecutive John Cahill Medal, Port Adelaide star Zak Butters has given a shoutout to his accountant for helping him manage being the most fined player in AFL history. The two-time All-Australian finished third in this year’s Brownlow Medal count. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/qXnnbpCpcM
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) October 5, 2024
He expected to know next week if he needed any surgery.
In his club champion address, Hinkley revealed the Power’s theme for the season was running a marathon.
“We never took our eye off the next kilometre and focused on the next challenge in front of us,” Hinkley said.
“Unfortunately we hit the wall this season in the second-last kilometre.
“What I know about this club and playing group is we’ll continue to risk the pain, and put ourselves back at the starting line again next season.”
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Originally published as Zak Butters wins 2024 John Cahill Medal, Jason Horne-Francis finishes second
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