John Butcher has been heavily criticised by many fans of the Port Adelaide Football Club this year as he hasn’t reached the heights of his debut year.
Butcher kicked eleven goals in four games in his first year playing AFL (2011).
Around the Port Adelaide Football Club he is known as “The Future” because everyone knows what Butcher is capable of.
Since fan favourite and Port Adelaide ‘barometer’ Justin Westhoff is ineligible to play this weekend due to a one week ban, Butcher is the right replacement for Westhoff as Power look in need of another tall in their forward structure.
Most fans would think that Hinkley has the same idea; one tall forward out so another one comes in.
Butcher has a perfect chance to prove his worth this weekend against big guns of the competition, kicking a bag of goals against Hawthorn would put Butcher back onto AFL scene.
Earlier this year John Butcher played his first AFL game of 2012 against Geelong, he couldn’t manufacture any goals, although he still looked dangerous up forward. He did line up for goal a few times but most of his shots were clangers.
His second game of the year was against Western Bulldogs in Darwin where he kicked Power’s first goal of the match, yet still was subbed off in the slippery conditions.
Butcher’s most recent AFL match was against GWS in round 12 (after the Power’s bye) which was clearly his best game of the three he’s played, as he kicked 2.2 and was very threatening up front.
Butcher’s last game of football was two weekends ago, (as his SANFL team had a bye last weekend.)
Butcher (197cm tall) was one of the largest players in the Port Adelaide Magpies v Woodville West Torrens match.
Butcher kicked the first goal for the Port Magpies running into an open target. Then John Butcher went on to kick two more goals as well as taking a screamer. The only problem for Butcher was he kicked no goals after halftime and didn’t look like the target he was up forward in the second part of the match.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was an onlooker of the SANFL game and said in a press conference during the week after the match:
“He was really good, his first half was really impressive – in fact, that was the best I’ve seen him play in SANFL footy.”
If Butcher is selected this weekend to replace Westhoff, he should be full of confidence as he is in good SANFL form, his form is progressing when he has been playing at AFL level and has been injury free.
John Butcher was pick 8 in 2009’s National Draft.
As always, the future has to come sooner or later.
John Butcher has recently turned 22 years of age and it’s time to ask the question; is ‘the future’ now for himself and Port Adelaide?
This question is asked as Butcher has a lot of hype and excited around/about him and it’s time for him to cement a spot in a rising Port Adelaide team.
Can Butcher rise up to the occasion this Saturday afternoon against the Hawks?
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