Port Adelaide vice-captain Zak Butters said the group is searching for consistency with its intensity and contest on game day. 

The 24-year-old is looking for team success as much as anyone, and states the season is “very much alive” as he prepares for Thursday’s Carlton clash. 

Speaking to the Adelaide media on Tuesday, Butters reviewed the loss against Sydney, gave an update on injured players, and discussed his playing future. 

Butters on reviewing the Sydney game 
“I think there's a few obvious ones around intensity and contest, I feel like, which has been a common theme, so it’s a little bit frustrating we weren't able to nail it, but I thought post-bye we were able to get it right for a couple of weeks and then probably took a little bit of a step backwards from that on the weekend. But yeah, credit to Sydney, they brought it, and we didn't match it early enough with them. 

“I think probably similar to us coming off the bye as well in that GWS game, I thought we brought some really good pressure and hit them early, and sort of shocked them in a way. And I feel like Sydney probably got the upper hand in that first five minutes and really put the pressure on us.” 

Butters on finding intensity consistently 
“I guess when you don't consistently do it, that's when it becomes an issue. When you don't consistently rock up and do it over and over again, it becomes a bit of an issue, not one you want to ideally fall into. But I thought we were able to fix it post bye and get it really good for couple of weeks. And I've still got a lot of confidence that we can do it. It's just about consistently bringing it. 

“I feel like we always have that aim to bring the intensity and I don't really buy into (only getting up for) the big games. I guess the outside noise tends to go to that track. But as a playing group and as a player in this team, I like to think that we set ourselves up to bring it every week, and we probably haven't got it right enough times to show that and consistently do it. But yeah, it's definitely the goal leading into every game.” 

Butters on knowing when the team is on 
“Yeah, it's a good (question). I actually chatted to a lady in the post office yesterday, and she was telling me about her under 14 kids team. She has two twins that play footy, and she was saying, one week they were really good and energetic, and they played bad, and the next week, everyone was flat, and they came out and dominate. And I said, “you know what? I feel you sometimes. I feel you sometimes.” And I said, “I'm trying to put my finger on the same thing at the moment.” So that was quite funny. 

“Yeah, it is interesting. Sometimes you can buy into it and reading things, and you go there and play really well. On some other weeks, you feel like you you're on and you're ready to go, and it doesn't quite go to plan. So the pre-game stuff can be a bit tough sometimes, but I feel like you’ve just got to get in the mindset of like, no matter what happens before the game, when the game starts, the game starts and you're there to compete, you're there to play. And I feel like if we can find that attitude more, that will definitely help us.” 

Butters on Ollie Wines and Aliir Aliir’s injuries 
“Yeah they’re super players, Ollie and Aliir, especially their characteristics, what they mean to the group, what they bring in, the on field performance over a number of years and has been really strong. And yeah, we definitely missed them on the weekend.” 

Butters on Miles Bergman 
“Knowing Miles for six or seven years now, he’s pretty trustworthy, he's a competitive beast, and I'm sure he’ll let his footy do the talking this weekend, but yeah, I’ve known him for a long time now, and what I've seen him do and compete, I have full faith in him. 

“You always try and get into the good player’s ears and you want to keep players around, especially if those players can help you win, and Miles is definitely one of them. So yeah, I've been chatting to him, and so has Connor and I’m sure the recruiting team, and his manager are all doing that as well, and by the sounds of it, the club is doing everything they can to keep him as well.” 

Butters on his contract situation 
“There is a lot of noise about it. I feel like that's always going to be the case, and it's footy, it is what it is. And yeah, to be honest, I haven't really thought about it too much lately. I think other people think about it more than I probably do. But yeah, right at the moment, I think the season’s very much alive for us. I know we have to get a lot of things right and do a lot of good things. But while it's alive, it's alive, and that excites me.  

“I don't think I'm going to rush. I think it's a big decision. But, yeah, I'm committed and I’m in so I feel like until that decision needs to be made, then I’ll make it. I think I'll go back and have a good think about it in the off season when I probably get to sit down and actually think about things a bit more. And you’re not in the hustle and bustle of footy and trying to win and trying to compete and trying to get better, and actually sit back and think about it and probably chat to a few people about as well, but no particular timeline, though. I feel like I'm committed to the club until the end of 2026 and that's when I signed my contract to.” 

Butters on wanting team success 
“I've been lucky enough to be at this club for a while and be part of some pretty successful teams and successful groups, and probably haven't got to the pinnacle which, which I live and die by, and I want to get there as quick as I can and be in that spot. But, yeah, I've also been lucky to be in a very good team for a long time. So I won't forget that either. 

“I think, yeah, well and truly (this group could get there in the next few years). I think we can improve our young players, and that next core coming through can really develop and help us, and myself and Connor probably taking that next step and have really good guidance by some older guys. I feel like we've still got a number of players who can play some really good footy and do some damage. And I feel like we've got some recruits that we probably haven't seen the best of yet as well. I think Jack Lukosius is going to play some footy this weekend as well. So I think he's an important part going forward for us.” 

Butters on what influences his decision about his future  
“It’s a good question. I guess there's a number of things. Family, friends, whatever it is, but the number one thing for me is footy. I'm here to play footy. I'm here to do that, and footy is a top priority. Family is good, friends are good, but footy makes me most happy. So I feel like that's, that's always my top priority.” 

Butters on how amazing it would be to have success at Port Adelaide 
“Yeah, it would be pretty sick, it'd be pretty good. And I feel like my values align really well with the club as well. Feel like I’m pretty blue collar myself, and I like doing the hard yards. And I feel like that's where I come from. And I feel like I've really been brought into this system and had some good role models along the way. I align with the club pretty well.” 

Butters on what the club might need in the future 
“I have a lot of trust in the recruiting team. I don't probably get involved in it too much, but I have a lot of trust in that they want us to get better and keep improving. I feel like I can help them by keeping improving myself, and they can help the team by bringing in talent, which they do every year, whether that’s through the draft or recruiting from other teams. I think they've probably got a better idea for who we need than I probably do. But yeah, I feel like I definitely have chats with coaches all the time about how good would it be to have such and such in our team, but it's hard to get them.” 

Butters on who he leans on to make decisions 
“It's a good question. Obviously, my parents, I’m very close with my parents, mum and dad, but don't actually talk too much footy with them either. I feel like I have a pretty good relationship that I probably speak little footy with them compared to most other people in my life. But yeah, my good mates at the club as well, in Connor, Mitch, Ollie Wines, Darcy Byrne-Jones, I feel like I've got a good core friendship group there that have made me to stay this long. And I feel like I've got some good friendships there. 

“Mum and Dad always just pretty much just say do whatever makes you happy and what you want to do. So they're not too fussed there, and I feel like they just want me to be happy. I feel like it's probably what most parents want.” 

Butters on Ken Hinkley and Josh Carr 
“I haven't really imagined (Port Adelaide without Ken) yet, because it hasn't become a reality yet, but I'm sure when the time comes, initially, there'll be a bit of disappointment, it's like when you lose anyone in your life that’s important to you. Probably initially won't feel quite right, but I'm sure with time, that things will adjust. And I've got a good relationship with Carry (Josh Carr) and have really built that over the last two or three years, and he's been a key instigator of my success over the last few years, and really improving as a player. So yeah, I do respect him a lot in that regard, and what he's done for me in that area. I feel like, although I lose one, I've got a really good one coming in as well.”