John Butcher

[Petrie4PM]

Ok, I am sure port fans would (in the most part) agree the writing is on the wall. John Butcher hasn't become what he should and could of been at Port Adelaide. That is a strong marking, tall, goal kicking forward.

Age: 23 (turns 24 next July)
Games: 23
Goals: 33
Original Club: Gippsland Power

Drafted #8, 2009 National Draft. Been with the club for 5 full seasons now.

This guy does have potential (as all draftees do with their talent) but for some reason or another just hasn't come on - the port guys will know more about this than me.

Averaging 5,2,3,4 marks a game in last 4 seasons. Kicked 11 in 2011, 11 in 2012, 9 in 2013, 2 in 2014.


I know alot of clubs (inc. port) are screaming out for another key forward. Do you think a change of clubs could re-ignite his career or is he just destined for SANFL?

Which clubs would be interest and what would he be worth? Are we talking a straight swap or a pick and which pick given he was #8 - this will spark some healthy debate.

 

[Petrie4PM]

Perhaps I could open this up to essendon fans. If Ryder (just doing a hypothetical) does find himself at port next year (to support/work with lobbe) would John Butcher and picks be involved? I know Daniher is developing into a monster player and is going to be great but perhaps another key forward in the mix would provide more structure? Is he worth a punt?

 

[junkyard_dog]

Can clunk a mark but his kicking is a disaster. Never looked like dominating a game in the SANFL this year. Port will try and trade.

 

[RossFC]

Has another year on his contract and will spend it in the SANFL next year and will then be delisted.

If someone is brave enough(Western Bulldogs) to offer their 3rd rounder in the hope that he can get his hips right then be my guest.

 

[Honeyboy Wilson]

His kicking is entirely mental, as much as people think it's a technique thing with his "ball drop".

Watch him in warm ups, it's an awkward look, but it goes straight, ball drop is fine.

Then set shot in game, his confidence drops, drops the ball from his shoulders and shanks it.

His defensive workrate is second to none for a key forward, his hands are excellent for clunking a mark and he's very fast. Will never be a "big" key forward, his hips apparently cannot handle extra weight. Still needs to work on leading patterns and reading the flight of the ball, but the talent is there.

Personally, I love the guy. I just think he needs a change of scenery. I don't think Port Adelaide is where that confidence switch in his head will be turned on. But if he could ever learn to believe in himself, I think he'd be a very dangerous AFL player.

 

[PAFC_1870]

Can't see him being traded this year, esp for a 3rd rounder, it's a lose lose for the club.

1 more year and we'll see where it's at.

 

[Dez!]

Has another year on his contract and will spend it in the SANFL next year and will then be delisted.

If someone is brave enough(Western Bulldogs) to offer their 3rd rounder in the hope that he can get his hips right then be my guest.

I'd hope we'd take a punt, there's still something there to salvage IMO.

 

[El_Scorcho]

His confidence has been absolutely destroyed by a combination of injury and a total lack of faith from successive coaching teams.

He's never played more than 5 games in a row, while the likes of Kane Mitchell, Matt Thomas and Sam Gray have been given extended runs in the side.

We dropped him after round 3 this year, despite the fact that he'd performed admirably for a 20 game KPF in his first 3 games, and Brisbane had a terrible midfield and no tall defenders at all. It was the perfect day for him to have a day out and build some confidence and we dropped him.

As others have said, he's simply not worth trading for us unless he demands a trade. We'd be looking at what, pick 45 or something? Why bother? We may as well hang on to him and hope he comes good.

The talent is definitely there, as we saw in the pack crashing 18 year old, but he just doesn't believe in himself.

 

[Mejekdraw]

I'd hope we'd take a punt, there's still something there to salvage IMO.

Not with going to Melbourne

 

[Dez!]

Not with going to Melbourne

I'd back a Premiership coach and the coaches that were with him like Misson and Stone to develop players just fine.

 

[Mejekdraw]

I'd back a Premiership coach and the coaches that were with him like Misson and Stone to develop players just fine.

I agree just like what they are doing with Toumpas and Salem

 

[footyfan000001]

Pick 16 and Butcher to Dons
Ryder and a late pick to Port.

 

[Dogsman16]

Has another year on his contract and will spend it in the SANFL next year and will then be delisted.

If someone is brave enough(Western Bulldogs) to offer their 3rd rounder in the hope that he can get his hips right then be my guest.

I want us to have a go, especially if Jones goes but we have to wait and see where our F/S land before we think about it. To be honest I would trade a player out to get another 3 rounder to give this guy a chance, a bit of confidence and an improved kicking action I think we can turn his career around. Plus we have got the youngsters to trade away a 3rd rounder and not be hugely disappointed if it didn't work out. Smart trades on the cheap that take a risk can sometimes assist a club push into finals or even win them a premiership. We need to have a strong look.

 

[TallyHawk]

Straight swap for Schoenmakers, can Butcher play key defender role?

 

[Theo X]

I agree just like what they are doing with Toumpas and Salem

You're picking on 2 guys in their 1st or 2nd year that have had major injury issues. Toumpas with double hip operations and appendicitis, and Salem with Thyroid issues. All class you are.

 

[Mejekdraw]

You're picking on 2 guys in their 1st or 2nd year that have had major injury issues. Toumpas with double hip operations and appendicitis, and Salem with Thyroid issues. All class you are.

Nice use of the sympathy card.

 

[1990crow]

Mason Shaw and Mitch Harvey have gone past him and they're not even in the senior team. Other clubs should be wary as there are plenty of tall forwards around the league that would have a better hope of making it than him.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

I agree just like what they are doing with Toumpas and Salem

lol

 

[Mejekdraw]

lol

Dont waste your draft pick this year lol

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Pick 16 and Butcher to Dons
Ryder and a late pick to Port.

Just what Essendon need, more blokes that can't kick.

 

[AndrewJo]

Straight swap for Schoenmakers, can Butcher play key defender role?

You are seriously joking as a Hawks man? That6 would be a LOSS LOSS LOSS for the Hawks .

 

[PenAndPaper]

You are seriously joking as a Hawks man? That6 would be a LOSS LOSS LOSS for the Hawks .

So many Hawks supporters seriously underrate Schoenmakers, its such a shame

 

[Cleric]

Butcher is PAPs answer to Nick Gill and Ian Perrie, although not quite as good as either. Spud of the highest order.

 

[Shaucob_Burjan]

We're all in with him at this stage.

We'll never make up value for what we drafted him for, he'll either make it as an AFL player for us or be delisted by us.

 

[Scotland]

Butcher for Watts.