Dan Butler

Butler spent his formative years playing football for a team in Lake Wendouree, a suburb of the Victorian country town of Ballarat.

He played TAC Cup football with the North Ballarat Rebels and played one senior match with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL in 2014. That same year Butler represented Victoria's Country team at the 2014 Under-18 National Championships.

He attended secondary school at St Patrick's College in Ballarat.

Butler was drafted by Richmond with the club's fourth pick and the 67th overall in the 2014 national draft.

He did not play a senior match in his first year at the club, sidelined due to a serious knee injury; however a comeback would soon entail. He did not play a reserves match until round 15 of the VFL season.

In 2016 he was again looked over, one of just two senior listed players at the club not to play a senior match that season (along with Chris Yarran).

Butler made his AFL debut in round 1, 2017 against Carlton in the season opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He finished the game with nineteen disposals, two goals and was named among Richmond's best by journalists at Fairfax and AFL Media. He was again named in the club's best in round 3, this time kicking two goals to go with 17 disposals. Butler's early performances, along with forward-line companions Jason Castagna and Daniel Rioli, played a key role in Richmond's five game unbeaten start to the season. After five rounds the small-forward trio had combined for 23 goals (Butler with seven) and 44 tackles (16 for Butler).

After eight consecutive games played, Butler was ruled out from the club's round 9 clash with Greater Western Sydney with a groin injury. He returned to football in round 11, kicking two goals in his side's victory over North Melbourne. For his performance he received the round 11 nomination for the 2017 AFL Rising Star award. In late August he was named in the 40-man squad for the AFL Players' Association's 22 Under 22 team which recognises the best young players in the league.

Statistics are correct to the end of qualifying final, 2017