Richmond VFL and development coach Craig McRae provides ‘Roar Vision’ with an insight into the continued impressive development being made by talented, young Tiger premiership small forward Dan Butler.
His time in the VFL
“He played a couple of years there, coming in as a late pick (No. 67 in the 2014 AFL National Draft) . . . He started pretty slowly, to be honest. It was halfway through a couple of years ago we challenged him around a few things, and then he just got to work. He’s a great worker.”
The turnaround for him leading into season 2017
“His attitude in the break to come back, and even the six weeks prior to that year, he started really working at his craft. And he took a huge leap that pre-season.”
Noticeable changes with him
“Endurance, his body shape. He came back and he was bigger and stronger. Everyone (at the Club), from day one, just noticed that he was a different player.”
Pressure-packed player
“Everyone in the past would just say how many tackles he’s had, but it’s chases, it’s smothers, referred pressure . . . 40 (pressure) points (from him) is pretty high. It’s elite for that small forward role.”
Good goal sense
“He kicked around 30 (goals) last year, and he’s kicked 17.9 this year, so he’s impacting the scoreboard. I think he’s got more class, more quality around the goals (this season).”
Big on goal assists
“We want to get the best shot on goal, and do whatever it takes to get that. He’s a leader of that. He and Jack (Riewoldt) certainly enjoy giving those goal assists, as Shane Edwards does.”
Working well with Daniel Rioli up forward
“Jason Castagna and ‘Buts’ (Butler) had to carry the load (as defensive small forwards) while he (Rioli) was away (sidelined with the broken foot he sustained in the 2017 Grand Final). Daniel’s unbelievable with his pressure, so they complement each other really well.”
