Port Adelaide acting captain Zak Butters says his side is making ‘inroads’ with its game plan over the last few weeks and was rewarded for effort on the weekend. 

Butters had yet another solid performance against Geelong, breaking the tag and earning seven votes on Anzac Day in the Peter Badcoe VC Medal judging. 

Speaking with the media on Monday, Butters discussed the team’s recent improvements, the excitement of the Showdown this Friday, and was full of praise for Jason Horne-Francis. 

Butters on his tribunal and appeal 
“I think I keep pretty clear to myself to keep the off field stuff for the off field and worry about my performance (first and) foremost, and how I control that. That's what I'm paid to do. So a lot of my time energy goes into training, getting better as a player, making my teammates better and being a good leader as well. I’d like to say I fill my cup up with most of that stuff. 

“I wouldn't say it was ideal (the last couple of weeks), but whether it's difficult or not, I feel like there are probably a lot of worse things going on in the world. Obviously, you'd rather not these things not happen. And the club has been super in their support and all the people around the place. So yeah, couldn't be more grateful for that.” 

Butters on the team’s recent performances  
“I think we're making some good steps and inroads. I feel like, obviously, with a new coach and a lot of new coaches under Josh, and then some new personnel in the team as well, it probably wasn't going to click from Round 1, although you'd like it to, and that's the perfect world. But yeah, I felt you're seeing some good progression. 

“I think consistently, you just want to keep building on that (recent form) and then growing. And, yeah, it's a long year, so it's hard to maintain and do that all year, but you'd like to see more of it, than not see it at all.” 

Butters on getting confidence from the win over Geelong 
“That win definitely gives us belief, but I feel like our performances in the two weeks before that as well, you know, we lose that close one in Gather Round and then just go down to the Hawks on the road as well. I think you just keep sticking at it and playing the brand and building towards what you want to do as a football club and a team. And I thought the reward came on the back of that.” 

Butters on Jason Horne-Francis’ performance 
“Yeah, he's pretty good to watch when he goes like that. And being there right next to him and enjoying it as well. And obviously, I probably see it a bit more than others at training and the work he does put in, so for him to get the reward for that and do it on game day, on a big stage, on Saturday night on Anzac Day as well. So really proud of him and the work he's putting in. I wouldn't say he's broken out, I think he's already broken out a couple years ago, but it’s good to see him get his body right and be able to do it for a few weeks. I’m looking forward to watching it for the rest of the year. 

“I think the foot was a bit of a tricky one for him and even our medical team, he obviously had to go in again for a couple more surgeries, and was trying to put his finger on exactly what was wrong with it. So I feel like once he got on top of it and got confidence and training loads under his belt, and then a few performances early in the year, I feel like that's just seeing the reward of putting in a bit of work and also just getting a bit of conditioning and game-like stuff into him. He seems to be really enjoying his footy right now. 

Butters on Jason Horne-Francis’ maturity 
“I think he's matured, definitely in the last 12 months, a lot. I think it's the group around him as well. He's best mates with Jase Burgoyne and he's a few steps in that area. A few of those younger guys are really stepping up. And I think that's important for the footy club, that that next wave really starts to take it. And I feel like they're doing it as a group as well and Horny’s leading that group pretty exceptionally.” 

Butters on breaking the Oisin Mullin tag 
“They're good team, and he's been a good tagger for a bit now as well and has got me a couple of times, and has been able to get some really good players across the competition as well. So I knew my work was going to be tough and it was going to be not an easy night but I prepared myself for that. And I was prepared to go to work on a few things and that meant making my teammates better players on the night as well, and then also just fighting it out and trying to get my job done. So I thought it was a pretty well rounded midfield performance from the group.” 

Butters on enjoying moments with his teammates 
“I like to think I'm laughing 90% of the time. I feel like you’ve got to enjoy things as well, Even when we lose at the club, you still come in on Monday and you’ve still got to laugh at the funny things in life. I feel like I don't get caught up too much in all the serious stuff. And yeah, Christian (Moraes), he's a pretty funny young kid, so you tend to find yourself laughing at him sometimes. And that's what's been good about the place as well, the young kids really starting to kick on. And I thought he played a good game on the weekend. And then alongside guys like Ewan Mackinlay and Jase Burgoyne are really taking those next steps. So yeah, the young boys always seem to make you laugh a bit.” 

Butters on talking confidence into the Showdown 
“I think it's been building a little bit, but you’ve still got to show up and do it every week. And I feel like we've had a theme of reviewing our games, not based on results, but based on what we're trying to improve on, and what we're trying to get better at, and (improving) the process. And I feel like, if you stick to that, it’s a long year to get too caught up in wins and losses. No matter where you are on the ladder or what you come off, the Showdown is always pretty close and fiery. So we expect that again. 

“They've been a good team now for a couple of years in the competition and the benchmark at stages as well. So we know what Showdowns bring and how close they've been previously, and they're a good team and no doubt they'll come out firing.” 

Butters on his future   
“Yeah, nothing's really changed on my end (in terms of making a decision yet). I feel like the end of season will probably be when I make my decision. And yeah, I think I'll be sticking with that all year. I'm really enjoying my footy right now and seeing these young kids come through, and I feel like we’ve got a few boys to come back in with Connor and a few boys still missing. So I think the future is pretty bright.” 

Butters on being acting captain 
“Yeah, I'd say I’m enjoying it. I'd rather have Connor out there though. He's my best mate and one of our best players, so he probably gives you a better chance of winning some weeks. So I'd rather have Connor in the team, for sure. 

“I think when I took it over and Josh gave me the responsibility, he sort of just challenged me to use it and try to get better as well and not shy away from things. I've been lucky enough to have some really good leaders over my time at the club in Tom Jonas and Travis Boak, and even in the team now, Ollie Wines and Darcy Byrne-Jones have been here since I started my footy, and they're still helping me now. So I feel like I've been pretty lucky to have some really good support.” 

Butters on people doubting Port Adelaide 
“I feel like you can doubt us all you want. For us, we don't really buy into that stuff too much, and there's always going to be doubters out there. There's always going to be people that pump you and us as a footy club, we don't really want to buy into that stuff too much. Does it give you a little bit extra motivation if you see something? Maybe a little bit, but yeah, I think the motivation definitely comes with from within the four walls of the club.” 

Butters on Ivan Soldo’s retirement 
“(Ivan) had a really good impact on the boys, and he brought a lot of energy and really loved his footy. And, yeah, it’s sort of shattering for the big fella. He was actually having a really good pre-season, and all our three rucks were competing really well against each other. Probably in pre-season, you didn't really know which one was leading it. So to see him go down (with an ACL injury), you never want to see for any of your teammates and knowing his history with knees and a bit of injury stuff as well. So we’re definitely going to miss his energy and what he brought to the locker room. He's very well liked amongst the group as well, but in that case as well, I think it's probably the best thing for him and where he's at in his life and his future. I think the club will still help him out with his injury and support him for that next phase of his life.” 

Butters on the midfield improvement 
“I feel like we've been clicking as a group a bit better the last couple weeks. Obviously, we had Stuey Dew come in as a midfield coach. So we've been building that relationship really well with Stuey and all the boys are really liking working with him. And then I feel like Ollie Wines coming back, getting a few games under his belt, Jason obviously spending a little bit more time in there. And some of the young kids coming in, I feel like Christian Moraes played a good game in there on the weekend and Jase Burgoyne even at times spending minutes in there. So I feel like we're getting a good mix in there and a few boys are getting some good games under their belt.” 

Butters on Stuart Dew 
“He's got that balance of fun and bringing a really good energy to the group, but then also he’s pretty serious and knows where that line is, that when you get to that stage of training or game day, to flip the switch and now we're ready to roll. So I feel like I'm a pretty similar character in that sense. I like to enjoy footy and what it brings, and all the fun it brings, but then also when it's time to switch gears and get locked in that I'm able to do that, and I feel like he does that well as well.” 

Butters on Jack Watkins playing two games in 24 hours 
“I was actually having a laugh with him when I was coming off, asking him how he is, and I think he's just grateful to be out there as well. And if you're going to ask a bloke to sort of back it up, he's probably got that mentality and no fuss character and attitude to just get the boots on and get rolling and get out there for the boys. So I think he experienced both a loss in the SANFL but then a win in the AFL. So I think he was happy to just play a role and also be a part of it as well.  

“I think it's a good one for the young boys as well (to show what you can be capable of). If you get the opportunity, you never know how it can come or when it can come, and you’ve always got to be ready. I spoke to him, and he said that he was in the club that morning doing recovery, just as he always would, and then, six, seven hours later that probably helps him get ready for the game that he was in doing recovery a bit earlier. He's a pro in that area as well. And yeah, he had a pretty big game in the SANFL Friday night as well and to see him back it up, I’m just proud of him, but also anyone else that does that role, I'd expect them to do it the same.” 

Butters on the unpredictability of Showdowns 
“I think with Showdowns, I don't know if there is favourites rolling into it. I feel like with the game, what it brings, the rivalry, it's one of the best in Australia, and especially in the history of the game. And you've definitely seen over the years, whether we've rolled in favourites and they've got us done, or vice versa. I feel like it's a finals-like atmosphere, and you never know what can quite happen. All I know is that it will be a good contest on Friday night.”