Zak Butters – Deck of DT 2024

Click here for 2024 Fantasy Classic prices.

Why should I pick him?

As an owner last year, I’m doing it. This is a bargain price for one of the superstars of the competition and to think he can be purchased for a tick under triple figures makes it a no brainer. This is a guy who is every chance to surpass the elite 110+ marks this year, as we saw in two significant stretches once he made his permanent move to the midfield.

Between rounds eight and 13, we got a preview of what we can expect from the stat stuffing ball magnet. He went on an absolute tear, announcing himself as a true star of the competition with scores of 111, 118, 148, 101, 129 and 121 in that time for an average of 121. After cooling off a little over the next six weeks, he reignited his jest to finish the year in a blaze of glory scoring 130, 121, 113 and 104 to average 117 in the last month of the season. He didn’t slow down there either, racking up 25 possessions, six marks and seven tackles in the Qualifying Final against the Lions for a score of 124.

He is an extremely hard worker and elite at finding space and presenting for marks which became a highlight after round eight where he had three tallies of eight and two of nine which is a good trait for someone who finds the ball and tackles like he does.

He doesn’t play in the stupid round zero fixture! So if you are splitting hairs between fellow value picks in Sam Walsh or  Touk Miller, it makes the decision very easy. While on the shitty topic of byes, he also has the round 13 bye which is shared with just one other team, so it will be easy to cover him for the week.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

Earlier in his career there were question marks about Butters durability, largely because of the way he throws himself around despite his smaller stature, weighing in at just 78kg with the majority of that being cranium. Given he has put together 20 and 23 games respectively over the past two seasons however, it’s not justifiable to put a line through him over it.

He is still a gun forward and would be more than capable of playing a Toby Greene type role if required by the Power, so there is always a slight fear he could be swung forward in a game, especially if he has already kicked a couple and there scoring dries up. I guess it could be argued that there is a tight squeeze in their midfield and there is far more benefit to having Butters forward than the likes of Ollie Wines.

There is quite a bit of value in the midfield this year and there are players that have proven to be able to average in excess of 100 in the past who are also available under $900K.

Maybe you just hate picking someone in the midfield after being available as a forward last year.

Deck of DT Rating.

KING

He is a bargain price due to his slow start to the season. He only managed one triple figure score in the first seven weeks and had two shockers, recording just 59 and 60 while averaging just 82 in that time. When he got going in round 8, he went on to average 107 up until the end of the season which I think will be his minimum moving forward. Going into his sixth season, he just ticks too many boxes to ignore; price, ceiling, age, form, projection, hunger and role. Lock ad load.

Roy

The most successful DTer out of the boys prides himself on his multiple top 200 finishes... nearly as much as he prides himself on his guns! The coach of destROY wants you to follow him on Twitter: @RoyDT.