Port Adelaide's John Butcher likely to re-sign but Carlton interested Mark Robinson
From: Herald Sun
August 30, 2011 CARLTON is preparing to launch for Port Adelaide's young star John Butcher - and they had better be quick.
Butcher's manager Paul Connors will fly to Adelaide to meet Butcher and Power officials.
Butcher is expected to re-sign with the South Australian club, but forces from Victoria are attempting to change his mind.
The Blues, North Melbourne, Melbourne and Richmond have indicated interest in the 20 year old.Butcher's father, Wayne, would also love his son to play closer to home, although "it will be his decision", Wayne Butcher told the Herald Sun.
Butcher has exploded on to the AFL scene, kicking 10 goals in his past two games, and drawing huge accolades for his marking.
Connors said interest was strong.
"He's kicked 10 goals in two weeks and the phone's been busy," Connors said.
"I'm flying to Adelaide and will have discussions with John and Port Adelaide but at this stage, we won't be having any formal negotiations until the end of the season."
Wayne Butcher said the family would sit down next week and discuss all options.
"To tell you the truth, we've not spoken about it," Wayne said.
"We decided to leave it until the end of year, a month ago, when he looked like playing a couple of games of footy, that hopefully we'd let his footy doing his talking.
"Of course, his parents would like their son to play where we could watch all the time."
He said his son was in the same position as other draftees forced to move interstate. "A lot of kids at all clubs have been torn between families, their home state and mates playing footy."
The Blues did not want to comment.
The Tigers, Roos and Demons are monitoring the situation.
The Tigers have a close connection to Butcher through their list manager Blair Hartley, who was Port's recruiting manager when Butcher was drafted.Port remains confident he will re-sign and believe the announcement last week of Jackson Trengove staying adds to their case.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/port-adelaides-john-butcher-likely-to-re-sign-but-carlton-interested/story-e6frf9jf-1226124843820
