Player Watch Welcome to Hawthorn: Pick 23, Sam Butler

[Slainte]

Very happy with what I have seen from Butler. This sort of player is far harder to find than a mid like Sonsie.

He finds the front position and can already hold it with the incoming ball. That's a gift that only the really good have.

Plus he has speed to burn.

Yeah, I’ve seen enough to know he’s got some weapons.

Worth remember that he barely had a preseason, unlike Wardy and Macca.

Clearly the club sees it the same way.

 

[Dewnior]

Hopefully he can become Breust 2.0

 

[lyger]

Hopefully he can become Breust 2.0

It will be interesting to see how he develops- I think he could end up playing quite a bit of time in the middle.

 

[CHUBBSS]

He had me at hello - elite speed, skilful and a really well balanced player who can play forward and potentially run through the midfield. If that wasn’t enough also has a fair bit of mongrel about him as our new captain found out in the intra club

Having the other butler to lean on I reckon has really helped him come in grounded and prepared for the hard work ahead.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

It will be interesting to see how he develops- I think he could end up playing quite a bit of time in the middle.

Does he have the tank for that / does the club believe he can develop it?

 

[Bugs1977]

He had me at hello - elite speed, skilful and a really well balanced player who can play forward and potentially run through the midfield. If that wasn’t enough also has a fair bit of mongrel about him as our new captain found out in the intra club

Hopefully he has bit of Campbell Brown intensity about him too. We’ve missed a little bit of that for a while now.

 

[Brant]

He had me at hello - elite speed, skilful and a really well balanced player who can play forward and potentially run through the midfield. If that wasn’t enough also has a fair bit of mongrel about him as our new captain found out in the intra club

I've not seen elite speed as yet, but believed it to be a trait when drafted.

Hoping to see him burn off some opponents this season!

 

[Brishawk]

I've not seen elite speed as yet, but believed it to be a trait when drafted.

Hoping to see him burn off some opponents this season!

To be honest, I didn’t even see elite speed in his highlight videos predraft!

He always looked fatigued last year despite playing limited minutes. I’m hoping we see more of his skills and pace this year on the back of a good preseason.

 

[threesixpio]

How tall is he?

 

[MrPremiership]

How tall is he?

how big are his hands?

 

[threesixpio]

how big are his hands?

 

[TheFourPillars]

I've not seen elite speed as yet, but believed it to be a trait when drafted.

Hoping to see him burn off some opponents this season!

To be honest, I didn’t even see elite speed in his highlight videos predraft!

He always looked fatigued last year despite playing limited minutes. I’m hoping we see more of his skills and pace this year on the back of a good preseason.

He has good speed and has really worked on his endurance. We will see some of that speed for sure in season

 

[extractasam]

Hopefully he has bit of Campbell Brown intensity about him too. We’ve missed a little bit of that for a while now.

This - I think this is what has me most excited about butler. Not necessarily the forward craft he naturally has, but you can tell he tackles and hunts angry/ to hurt. Expect him to miss a few games for dump tackles over his career

 

[smish]

This - I think this is what has me most excited about butler. Not necessarily the forward craft he naturally has, but you can tell he tackles and hunts angry/ to hurt. Expect him to miss a few games for dump tackles over his career

Does anyone remember his tackle when we played St Kilda at docklands last year? He's an animal.

 

[eldorado]

Don't know about straight line speed, but he certainly has top-level agility.

 

[TDS7]

Don't know about straight line speed, but he certainly has top-level agility.

Well he was top 10 in both the 2km and 20m time trials in his combine, limited though it may have been.

So I'd guess that he's pretty springy down the track.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Don't know about straight line speed, but he certainly has top-level agility.

2.93 time for his combine 20m sprint. Not quite elite, but definitely quick for AFL level.

Draft: Butler passes Combine test

Sam Butler impressed at the Vic Country NAB AFL Draft Combine last week, finishing in the top-two in all bar one test.

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Sam Butler (2 goals, 17 disposals, 4 tackles) ​

"Sammy was very good. During my time at the club - this is only my fourth game at the club, but if you include all the match simulation too - this was the best game I've seen him play. He was really impressive. If I'm honest, he started the game a little slow, but he worked his way into the game really nicely. He had four shots on goal - he kicked 2.2 - laid four tackles and had 17 disposals as a high half-forward and provided a lot of energy and movement. Hopefully that gives him some real confidence for the rest of the year to move forward now and grow his game off the back of that."

 

[Billyc]

When the side sets the record for low pressure acts, anyone on the list who is good in that area should be considered for selection. I’d be picking Butler this week

 

[TylerDurden]

Has to play.

 

[The hands of stone]

Very positive , Im pretty big on him .

Chad out Sam in

 

[moginie]

Very positive , Im pretty big on him .

Chad out Sam in

He's the natural replacement.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Has to play.

Get him and Brockman in and watch the ball stop flying back our of our 50 with interest like it did last week.

We need some high level pressure in there as much as we do a marking target or two more.

 

[WWSD]

VFL - Round 3

16 disposals - 4 marks - 4 tackles - 4 goals - 1 behind

 

[CobberRodgers]

Has to play next week.