Former Port Adelaide defender Hamish Hartlett believes young gun Zak Butters will go to another level in 2022, predicting him to become one of the “elite” players of the competition.
Following an interrupted 2021 season that saw him frequently sidelined with a leg injury, Hartlett feels if Butters can have a clean run in 2022, you can expect some “big” things from the Darley product.
Going into his fourth season, Hartlett imagines the 21-year-old will make the transition into a more permanent midfield role, alongside the likes of Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Willem Drew.
“His talent is undeniable and unquestionable, I think everyone is aware of that,” Hartlett said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“Last year his season was decimated by a really significant injury with one that affected the nerve in the side of his leg.
“His attitude is going to make him one of the elite players of the competition, he’s just a guy that works his backside off, he’s always doing extras after every single session.
“He’s just always doing stuff to make himself better, he trains and plays at the right intensity, he’s crazily hard at it for how small he is.
“He’s going to be one that will take his game to another level (in 2022), I think he’ll spend more time in the midfield rather than playing forward, expect some big things from him.”
Butters averaged 19 disposals per game in 2021, however, that constant leg injury left him only able to play 12 games.