Sam Butler (footballer, born 2003)

Sam Butler is a professional Australian Rules Football player who plays for Hawthorn Football Club as a midfielder or forward in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the younger brother of St Kilda player Dan Butler.

Sam Butler
Personal information
Full name Samuel Butler
Date of birth (2003-02-10) 10 February 2003
Original team(s) GWV Rebels/Lake Wendouree Football Club
Draft No. 23, 2021 national draft
Debut Round 9, 2022, Hawthorn vs. Richmond, at MCG
Height 184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 76 kg (168 lb)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Hawthorn
Number 30
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2022– Hawthorn 17 (12)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2023.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life and junior football

In 2017, Sam watched his brother Dan win the AFL Grand Final as a 14 year old, and has had work experience at St Kilda and Richmond.[1] Sam Butler played junior football for the Lake Wendouree Football Club and St Patricks College, Ballarat. At Lake Wendouree FC, (according to GameDay) he kicked 46 (documented) goals.[2] He then played for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the NAB League, where he made a name for himself to be a 'clean and clever utility who can play through the midfield or up forward'.[3] In the NAB League, he was ranked first out of all mid-forwards for tackles, contested possessions, and goals.[4] At the Vic Country Draft Combine, he put AFL clubs on notice when he recorded the quickest 20m sprint time (2.97 seconds) and came second in the running (87 cm) and standing (71 cm) vertical jump.[5] At 18 years of age, Sam Butler was expected to be drafted by Richmond (pick 15), Fremantle (pick 19), Geelong (pick 22), or Carlton (pick 25).[6] However, he was drafted by Hawthorn with pick 23 in the 2021 NAB AFL draft.[7]

AFL career

Before making his AFL debut, Butler played 5 matches for the Box Hill Hawks at VFL level. During those games, he kicked 5 goals and 3 behinds, averaged 11.6 disposals, and scored 269 fantasy points, with an average of 53.8.[8] While Butler was playing during that period, the Hawks won 3 out of 5 games.[9] After earning his spot in the side due to a strong performance in the VFL against Essendon, he was called up to AFL level. He made his debut in round 9 against Richmond FC at the Melbourne Cricket Ground,[10] where he could not impact the scoreboard, after being denied a goal by an immense defensive effort from fellow debutant Bigoa Nyuon.[11] However, Sam was able to retain his place in the side for round 10, where Hawthorn played the Brisbane Lions in Launceston. Sam was beneficial to a Hawks victory, scoring 2 goals and more than doubling his fantasy score.[12]

Statistics

Updated to the end of 2023.[13]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2022Hawthorn30 96542347616150.70.64.73.88.41.81.70
2023Hawthorn30 86234498322180.80.34.36.110.42.82.30
Career 17127768315938330.70.44.54.99.42.21.90

References
  1. "Butler emerging from bro's shadow after hit that smashed him in half". AFL. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  2. "GameDay – Sam Butler". GameDay. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  3. "Butler serves up more draft delight for Hawks". Hawthorn FC. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  4. Lawless, Ben. "Draft Profile: Sam Butler". zerohanger. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  5. Lawless, Ben. "Draft Profile: Sam Butler". zerohanger. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  6. Lawless, Ben. "Draft Profile: Sam Butler". zerohanger. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  7. "Butler serves up more draft delight for Hawks". Hawthorn FC. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  8. "VFL Stats – Sam Butler". VFL Stats. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  9. "VFL Stats – 2022 season scores". VFL Stats. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  10. "Hawthorn FC – Butler Beaming for Debut". Hawthorn FC. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  11. "Richmond debutant's family delighted after he stops Hawks first-gamer's first goal". The Roar. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  12. "AFL Stats – Sam Butler". AFL Stats. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  13. "Sam Butler". AFLTables. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
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