BUTTERS FALLS SHY IN MEDAL THRILLER
GEELONG star Hayden Butterworth says Premier Cricket success is not far away after coming up narrowly short in the Ryder Medal.
After an outstanding season in which he plundered 781 runs with four centuries at the top of the order, Butterworth polled three votes in his final game of the season to draw level with Carlton’s Harry Smyth for the lead in the medal count.
But Footscray’s Dean Russ snared five votes for making 76 not out in his final game to come over the top and claim the medal. Russ ranked 20th for runs in the Premier Cricket season and snared only 13 wickets but his performances stood out to the umpires and the Geelong man was happy for the Footscray stalwart.
“It was pretty nerve-racking but I knew when our votes got read out second last, they usually build the suspense and I thought there was a twist to come,” Butterworth said.
“I don’t like public speaking at the best of times and I thought, ‘geez (winning the medal) could be a reality’.
“I am rapt for ‘Russy’ because I have known him a long time and he has always been around the pointy end (of the count), so it was good for him to get one finally.”
Butterworth’s magical season and second placing was the best effort by a Cat in the prestigious award, but he was only somewhat pleased with his season.
Having fallen short in finals again, he said he wanted more team success.
Geelong struggled during the middle part of the Premier Cricket season with the likes of Brody Couch, Tom O’Connell and Josh Garner away on higher duties but Butterworth said getting more experience into the lower-tier Cats would put them in good stead going forward.
I don’t like public speaking at the best of times and I thought, ‘geez (winning the medal) could be a reality’.
“I am happy with my personal performance ... but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter when you are not even close to getting to the grand final,” he said.
“Being able to test our depth but being able to get into that finals run, it is a good sign moving forward. That is the biggest thing we can build on, to really bolster the seconds and thirds and have a really competitive environment to breed those results.”
Butterworth confirmed multiple local clubs had come calling for his services but he was “pretty hungry” to see success at Geelong and would play on again next summer.