In a special series leading up to the 2017 AFL national draft, richmondfc.com.au examines the Tigers’ construction of their drought-breaking premiership team this year via the competition’s main talent acquisition pathway throughout the past decade. Today, we focus on Richmond’s recruitment of Dan Butler.
Richmond used its fourth pick (No. 67 overall) in the 2014 national draft on young, speedy, skilful, small forward Dan Butler.
The Tigers had been extremely impressed with Butler’s performances in the TAC Cup (for North Ballarat Rebels), the under-18 national championships (for Vic Country), and at school level (for St Patrick’s College, Ballarat) during that year.
Butler was one of the stars for the St Patrick’s College team that defeated Box Hill College in the 2014 grand final of the prestigious Herald Sun Shield competition.
St Pat’s made it a record-breaking fifth consecutive Herald Sun Shield title, with Butler a key team member for the last three of those triumphs (2012-14), which were played as curtain-raisers to AFL home-and-away fixtures at the MCG.
In 2014, Butler was St Pat’s vice-captain, and he played a major role in their decisive grand final success against Box Hill College, which was played as a curtain-raiser to the Round 20 Richmond v Essendon match.
Butler ignited the St Pat’s team through his explosive pace, and the X-factor elements of his game, capping off a top-class performance with two inspirational goals.
It was the sort of display that North Ballarat Rebels talent manager Phil Partington had become accustomed to seeing from Butler.
“Daniel’s had an outstanding year. He played every game for Vic Country, as a small forward. I thought he was one of the best ‘smalls’ in the national (under-18s) carnival with his pressure inside 50 and his speed,” Partington said following Butler’s drafting to Tigerland.
“Dan has elite pace and elite agility – attributes AFL clubs like . . .
“He can also go on the ball, and can do some uncanny things throughout the game.”
In one particular match during the 2014 TAC Cup season, Butler underlined his impressive defensive work, applying 17 tackles against the competition’s eventual premiers Oakleigh Chargers.
Butler expressed surprise, and delight, that he’d been picked up by Richmond in the national draft.
“I didn’t think the ‘Tiges’ would take me . . . I didn’t really think anyone would take me, to be honest,” Butler said.
“I had two interviews with them (Richmond) and the first one I got drilled a fair bit. So I thought I was definitely not coming here.
“But I couldn’t be happier here.”
Dan Butler AFL fact file
Debut: Round 1, 2017 v Carlton
Games: 23
Goals: 30
Honours: Winner of the 2017 Cosgrove-Jenkins award as Richmond’s best first year player, member of the Tigers’ 2017 premiership team
