N.Butcher .... My question for fellow fans.

[Rooster89]

Over the past few seasons I have read posts from other rooster fans regarding Nat Butcher and how they're unsatisfied with his ability.

I've never been one to look into it and always thought he would come good once he put in size.

My question for fellow chooks fans is do you think he will grow into the player you had hoped? If not has your expectations adjusted and are you satisfied with his current progress?

My personal opinion is he is a safe player in a team of superstars and sometimes I myself may forget that and expect too much from him. Generally happy with his defence and seems to work great within a team.

[Roosterfarian]

Great thread mun.

Personally I think this year is make or break for him. Talent and potential will only get you so far and he certainly hasn’t reached the heights I thought he would after starring in the lower grades.

He now has an opportunity to start or play for a larger amount of minutes and he needs to show more including offloads and breaks (something he excelled in coming thru the ranks). He reminds me of a Gallen type player. Workhorse with big tackle and hit up rate and a good offload.

But with a number of players coming off contract, it remains to be seen if they move Butch on to pay for the likes of Angus, Sitili, Rads, Baker and co.

[Freddy]

Yes agree good thread.
Use was such a good player in the juniors with his strong runs and offloading. I have been very positive about him developing but unfortunately still has not found his potential.
Don’t get me wrong he has played decent however this year is definitely a make or break year for him as we have many talented youngsters coming through.

[Snapn1]

You said it He's SAFE like Hutchinson SAFE! Not the best of the bunch but can do the job! The evolution of L.Collins an Sitilli pushing there way to the starting side has pushed Nat to the bench and now with Jake maybe not coming back Nat has a good case to keep on the bench as our 2nd rower / Lock interchange with Lui an JWH props and Lam hooker/ utility as in my opinion Sam walker 5/8 and Sam verills starting hooker come later rounds!

Rads makes Nat look average

[Rooster1908]

He's a really good top 17 player , certainly not a too 13 but pretty safe and reliable as a bench player .Won't play every game in a season but very handy reserve .Agree but may bet let go to resign some better players

[mattyh]

i dobt really expect a lot of butcher, he does his job within the team. he is an average player within a superstar team and doesn't need to be a superstar. i am gyessing he us a hard worker, and team man furst hence robbo and the team love him.

i thought he had an offload but am yet to really see it in fg. would be great if he developed this skill to add another attacking weapon to the team.

[Vasco]

He has not come on as expected. It happens.

Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at the Wests Tigers or Gold Coast in 2022.

[milanja]

I think we can’t keep them all, and he may take up a better offer with a Tigers/bulldogs/dragons when he can start looking at offers in November.

[Tommy Smith]

Nat Butcher is a very solid first grader. It shows how blessed we've been when we're debating whether or not he warrants a place in the side.

The fact is you can't have 17 superstars. Butcher can play in the middle or on an edge; and if desperate could even fill in at hooker. So I still maintain that he's a very valuable member of the team. He also has a nice offload in him (not on the weekend, but generally speaking).

Also he was an absolute defensive warrior in the 2019 GF. Plugged every hole that threatened to arise.

So yes, I'm a fan and think he's quite underappreciated.

[ROC181]

He was part of the 2019 GF win, yet he gets less support than others but that's what being a fan is, I guess!

[roosterproud]

Was aubo great or just in the 17 not the 13.
ffs trust in trent. Im a butch and hutch supporter. They are ROOSTERS and our coach uses them so he rates them. So so to I.
butch doing his shoulder in 20s gf showed me he has what it takes.
hutcho goes ok

[BenCumminsIsACheat]

Nat Butcher’s my favourite player.

He was robbed of the Clive Churchill in 2019. It was the best defensive performance I have seen in my life. The amount of critical tackles he made defending our line was amazing.

[Thirteen]

Good thread and some intelligent commentary.

Butch really dominated under 20s. At NRL level I think he gets dominated too often in the tackle cause he’s pretty short.

When was the last time we saw him put on a hit? When was the last time we saw him get agro? As a fan that’s what I want to see.

Unfortunately we can’t have a team full of superstars. We need the toilers and that’s what I’d classify Butch as.

Either way as long as the wears the Red, White and Blue he’s got my support.

[Bruce Pickett]

I thought he was very good in 2019, bit quiet last year and has been good this year. As had Tupinoua.

[Easts75]

Hopefully he gets some clubs wanting to pay him overs moving forward...just not ours