Amid Port Adelaide’s stunning free-fall in 2024, star midfielder Zak Butters – as well as the AFL body – have been called out by league greats for recent bad behaviour.
Having now received his fourth striking fine in 16 games, the Power vice-captain is well and truly under the microscope of pundits, including five-time All-Australian Garry Lyon and 2003 Brownlow Medallist Nathan Buckley.
The criticism comes as the Power star was cited for hitting Brisbane tagger Jarrod Berry behind the ball on Saturday in his side’s 79-point loss at the Adelaide Oval.
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With a one-match suspension overturned just last week for his strike on star on-baller Tom Green, patience for the repeated act is wearing thin on Lyon and Buckley.
Speaking to Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, the duo were critical of his lack of discipline, and the league’s unwillingness to outlaw him for his actions.
“His actions are causing this, he’s got to be aware he’s a recidivist, and he needs to adjust what he’s doing,” Buckley said.
“The AFL are responsible (for allowing it) … of course they are!” Lyon exclaimed.
“I’ve said this many times, he can walk into Laura Kane’s office and go: “Laura listen, who do we play this week? I’ll have $8,000 worth of strikes’ – and Laura will say ‘that’ll give you two; a slap to the chops and one to the kidneys.’
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“What sort of a competition are we running where they’re allowing that? And I know they’re not big whacks, but four is AFL 2024: enough.”
Butters’ hit on Berry was graded as intentional contact, low impact and body contact – leading to a $10,000 fine ($6,250 with his early plea).
As they stand, players can now be fined as many times as seen fit within the grading systems, with previous laws forcing players into suspension after a third monetary citation in one season.
“How many should it be before you get a suspension? Two, (or) on the third it’s a suspension?” Buckley asked.
“I’d fine them once ($10,000), and then give them an option the second time of $25,000 or a week – and then just start rubbing them out; so if you want to be stupid, have a spell on the sidelines… it’s just ridiculous that we allow it as a competition,” Lyon replied.
“Clayton Oliver is the other one that’s showing signs of going that way; now he’s not at this stage anyway doing the silly things as Zak was, but he gave free kicks away on the weekend.”
Melbourne’s star midfielder was not fined in his side’s three-point win over North Melbourne last Saturday night.
The eighth-placed Power play St Kilda this Sunday at Marvel Stadium in a must-win match to keep their finals hopes above water.