Butler's Journey from Injury Ward to Finals Hero
Hawthorn’s commanding 34-point victory over Adelaide in Friday night’s semi-final has propelled the team to within one win of a grand final berth.
The Hawks have now become only the second team in AFL history to enter a finals series from 8th position and reach a preliminary final, and the first to do so while defeating the minor premiers.
Through two consecutive road victories, the Hawks have displayed the toughness and resilience that enabled them to overcome both the Giants at Engie Stadium and now the minor premiers on their home turf in Adelaide.
While Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward and Jack Gunston will deservedly receive praise for their starring performances, an unsung hero recalled for the finals series is proving his worth in the high-pressure environment that defines September football.
Young half-forward Sam Butler has exceeded all expectations following his surprise recall on the eve of finals.
The 22-year-old has embraced his role in helping the team reach a preliminary final, demonstrating the determination and tenacity that few players on Hawthorn’s list can match.
Butler has excelled in his first two finals appearances, capitalizing on his opportunities while working tirelessly at both ends of the ground. Friday night at a sold-out Adelaide Oval showcased Butler at his best.
Building on his maiden finals performance where he kicked a crucial goal against the Giants, Butler delivered arguably his finest game in brown and gold, playing a pivotal role in the Hawks’ straight-sets elimination of the minor premiers.
His statistical output tells the story: a game-high nine tackles (three inside forward 50), 20 pressure acts, 15 disposals, five marks, five score involvements, and two vital goals.
Butler’s relentless pressure disrupted Adelaide’s rebounding defenders, validating coach Sam Mitchell’s decision to select him ahead of veteran forward Luke Breust.
Butler’s finals heroics represent a remarkable journey of perseverance. His early 2025 season was derailed by a serious leg injury, making his current form even more impressive given the obstacles he’s overcome.
This time last year, Butler could only manage walking laps at Waverley Park while his teammates pursued their own finals campaign. The Hawks won an elimination final before falling heartbreakingly to Port Adelaide by three points in the semi-final.
Watching fellow 2021 draftees Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald feature in Hawthorn’s first finals series since 2018 provided Butler with extra motivation.
He intensified his rehabilitation and training, even managing to defeat renowned endurance runner Karl Amon in the Hawks’ grueling six-minute time trial on the first day of post-Christmas pre-season training.
However, Butler’s comeback hit another roadblock when complications from his broken leg required additional surgery before the season commenced, further delaying his return to senior football.
His journey back began modestly with a Box Hill scratch match at Tullamarine, playing in front of just a few hundred spectators—a stark contrast to the packed Adelaide Oval where he would later deliver his best performance.
He returned to senior action against the Western Bulldogs in Round 13, playing three consecutive games before being managed due to soreness concerns.
His recall for the finals seemed unlikely until Mitchell recognized that Butler’s defensive capabilities could provide a crucial edge. Butler’s tackling statistics—rated elite for both overall tackles and tackles inside forward 50—made him an attractive option for the intensity of finals football.
With the Hawks now facing Geelong, who advanced by defeating Brisbane in the first week of finals, Butler’s defensive pressure will be crucial in neutralizing the Cats’ dangerous rebound from half-back.
As Butler prepares to take the field at the MCG in front of another massive crowd, Hawthorn supporters will be hoping his remarkable redemption story can help deliver the club another shot at their 14th AFL premiership.
