It is set to be a huge week for Richmond premiership player Dan Butler as he waits to see whether he will be running out or watching from the sidelines for the Tiger's AFL grand final clash against Greater Western Sydney.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The former North Ballarat Rebel and Ballarat Swans forward has played consistently across Richmond's VFL finals run, which culminated with a three-point premiership victory over Williamstown at the weekend.
Butler, who was one of the Tigers' best in the opening quarter as they raced to a 28-point lead, tallied 17 disposals and kicked one behind in the victory.
The Tigers were able to hold onto the 58-55 victory thanks to a pair of behinds kicked by Williamstown star Willie Wheeler in the final two minutes.
Butler's performance was somewhat marred by an incident in the second quarter which saw the forward placed on report.
Seagulls opponent Nick Mellington tackled Butler across the boundary line midway through the second term, before the Tiger appeared to punch an unprepared Mellington in the stomach.
Mellington, who previously played for Richmond's VFL team, hit the ground before the umpire immediately informed Butler he was on report for striking.
Butler, 23, already faced an uphill battle to try and gain selection, having not played an AFL game since Richmond's round 20 contest against Melbourne where he tallied eight disposals and one behind.
The forward is one of at least five names being floated for selections in the week leading up to the AFL grand final following injuries to Jack Graham (shoulder) and Nathan Broad (concussion) in Friday night's 19-point preliminary final win over Geelong.
Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh were both late exclusions for Sunday's VFL decider, while first year sensation Sydney Stack and Norm Goss medal winner Marlion Pickett all have been rumored for selection.
Pickett, 27, was outstanding in the VFL decider, tallying 20 disposals, laying nine tackles and kicking a crucial goal in the victory.
If Pickett were to play he would be the first person to debut in an AFL grand final since Collingwood's Keith Batchelor in 1952.
McIntosh, who played the first 16 games of the AFL season for the Tigers, and Butler are the only members of the five to have played in Richmond's 2017 premiership.
Ross has appeared in seven games for Richmond's AFL side this season while Stack played in 17 such games.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
