Zak Butters wins first John Cahill Medal ahead of Connor Rozee and Dan Houston

John Cahill Medal winner Zak Butters was at the MCG for this year’s AFL grand final — but the Port Adelaide star left before the match started and drove back home.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Zak Butters of the Power celebrates kicking a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide Power at GMHBA Stadium, on August 05, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters has revealed he was so disappointed to miss out on playing in this year’s AFL grand final that he could not bear to watch it at the MCG.

Butters, who on Monday night won his first John Cahill Medal as the Power’s best-and-fairest, attended pre-match lunches at last month’s premiership decider, only to leave before the match unfolded and drive back from Melbourne to Darley with mates.

Port Adelaide’s season ended in straight sets when it lost to GWS in a home semi-final.

“I was at the granny early but I couldn’t stay and watch,” Butters said.

“When you compete against them all year and you know you’re capable of competing with the best and we’ve shown that throughout the year …

“I didn’t really want to be there.

“I’d much rather be out there playing.”

Butters’s club champion award capped a brilliant campaign in which he also won the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year honour, the players’ association’s Most Courageous gong and also finished equal-fourth in the Brownlow Medal.

Zak Butters with his mum, Renee Butters, at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the Power’s best-and-fairest night. Picture: Matt Loxton

The 23-year-old midfielder comes out of contract at the end of next season and the Power is confident he will recommit long-term.

Butters said all parties were on the same page, pretty comfortable with how things were tracking.

“I think it’s pretty evident that I like the footy club and like playing with my best mates here,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good young core and some really good senior players still at the footy club … so I think we’re in good stead and I want to be a part of that.”

Butters, who polled 190 votes to finish ahead of fellow All-Australians Connor Rozee (170) and Dan Houston (158) on Monday night, was noncommittal about whether he wanted to succeed the retired Tom Jonas as skipper.

Asked if he had captaincy ambitions, Butters said he had not thought about it too much.

“I’ll let people much higher than me make those decisions,” he said.

Zak Butters has won his first John Cahill Medal. Picture: AFL Photos

Butters was able to take his mind off the Power’s finals exit by watching his junior club, Darley, win the Ballarat league grand final, its first A-grade men’s premiership since he played in one with the Devils as a 16-year-old in 2017.

Seeing some of his best mates claim a flag was providing an added edge for next season.

He had hardly stopped training since the defeat to the Giants, joining Darley for a session two nights before their triumph and kicking the footy most days.

“It’s what keeps me sane and motivated, and it’s part of my routine,” he said.

“I get back home, have a few days off then feel I need to get back out on the oval and get better.”

Butters was humbled by his medal win and almost became emotional on stage when he spoke about Ken Hinkley’s role during his career.

Hinkley has been Butters’ sole senior coach at the Power since being selected with pick 12 in the 2018 national draft.

“When I came to the club, I was probably a bit lost in life a bit,” he told this masthead.

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Zak Butters with his grandmother Robyn Russell, Renee Butters, and Wayne Butters at the Port Adelaide Football Club’s best-and-fairest at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I love my footy but probably didn’t have anything else other than close mates and family, and was pretty daunted moving away from home.

“Moving to Adelaide felt like I pretty much moved to London 24 hours away.

“He took me under his wing and … I love playing with him.”

Butters also reserved a special mention for a footy-loving young cancer sufferer who he met through his regular visits to Ronald McDonald House.

Involved with the children’s charity more in 2023 than previous years, Butters said he had bonded with the boy while eating dinners together and playing Nintendo Wii.

“It probably gave me a bit of an outlet,” he said.

“I’m sure he’ll be pretty pumped I was able to get up tonight.”

Butters planned to walk the Kokoda Track during his off-season, wanting to challenge himself and do something new.

He was confident the Power could be in premiership contention again in 2024.

“It’s not what you say, it’s what you do and Collingwood were able to do it,” he said.

“I feel like we’re capable of doing that, but we’ve got to get better, get to work and actually do it.”

Connor Rozee with Maisie Packer at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the Power’s best-and-fairest night. Picture: Matt Loxton

Butters, 23, took the lead on Monday night after receiving 10 votes in the Power’s home victory over Essendon in round 8 and pushed clear from that point.

He played in every one of Port’s 25 games and polled in all but two of them.

Butters averaged career-highs this year in disposals (27.5), inside 50s (5.2) and clearances (4.4).

It was no surprise that it was him, Rozee and Houston in the top three.

They were instrumental to the Power bouncing back from falling short of September action in 2022 to make a semi-final this past season.

Rozee made it consecutive top-two finishes after being Port’s club champion last year.

Hardworking midfielder Willem Drew was recognised for his consistent campaign by finishing in fourth spot on 115 votes and receiving the Fos Williams Medal as best team man.

Key defender Aliir Aliir (113 votes) rounded out the top five.

Gritty forward Sam Powell-Pepper backed up his impressive 2022 campaign, in which he finished fifth, by coming sixth.

Isabella Cavallaro with Jason Horne-Francis at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the Power’s best-and-fairest night. Picture: Matt Loxton

Midfielder Jason Horne-Francis capped a promising first season at the Power, placing seventh.

Half-back/wing Miles Bergman, defender turned pressure forward Darcy Byrne-Jones and vice-captain Ollie Wines were the others in the top 10.

Horne-Francis, who joined the club 12 months ago in a high-profile trade with North Melbourne, also claimed the Gavin Wanganeen Award as the Power’s best player under 21.

Bergman was handed the Coaches’ Award as the team’s most improved player.

Delisted midfielder Trent Dumont received the John McCarthy Award for work in the community, getting recognised for volunteering with people experiencing homelessness at Hutt St Centre.

On-baller Nick Moore claimed the AR McLean Medal as the club’s SANFL best and fairest.

Originally published as Zak Butters wins first John Cahill Medal ahead of Connor Rozee and Dan Houston