ZAK BUTTERS has been rewarded for a remarkable season by taking out the AFL Coaches’ Association AFL Champion Player of the Year Award.

The award is voted on by the 18 coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

Butters polled votes in 16 of the 23 matches this season to finish with 109 votes, earning maximum coaches votes in seven rounds.

The Power star beat Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (102 votes) and fellow Brownlow fancy Nick Daicos (99 votes) to take home the coveted award at the AFL Awards night in Melbourne on Wednesday.

He is just the third Port Adelaide player to win the award after the man who handed over his number 9 guernsey to Butters, Robbie Gray, claimed the honour in 2014 and former captain Warren Tredrea took it home in 2004.

Butters’ silky skills and ability to impact games on a consistent basis were on show all season as he led the Port midfield through a 13-game winning streak. 

The courageous midfielder averaged career-best numbers for disposals (27.5 per game), marks (five) and clearances (4.6), and ranks elite for score assists and score involvements this season.

Teammate Connor Rozee also claimed a consecutive top 10 finish, receiving 87 votes to place him seventh on the final leaderboard.

Midfielders Connor Rozee and Zak Butters each finished top 10 in the coaches votes. Image: AFL Photos.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was thrilled to see his midfield star take out the award.

"Zak is an exceptional person and the ultimate professional, and we are seeing the rewards this season of all the work he puts in," said Hinkley.

"Considering his size, he is fearless with the way he attacks the ball, and he’s got this amazing ability to make special things happen for our team and to influence a game like not many others can.

"I believe that being voted by the coaches as the league’s Champion Player is one of the highest honours a player can receive, and I could not be prouder that Zak has been recognised with this award."

Butters has enjoyed an exceptional 2023 season, polling maximum votes from the coaches on seven occasions. Image: AFL Photos.

AFL Coaches Association CEO Alistair Nicholson congratulated Butters on taking out the Award.

“Zak has had an exceptional season to date, the courage he shows and his ability to leave it all out on the field when his team needs him is amazing to watch,” said Nicholson.

“He should be honoured to be recognised by the coaches as the 2023 AFL Coaches Association Champion Player, we believe this to be the most prestigious of Awards in the AFL, the 18 coaching groups have a unique view on our game and allocate their votes with care and consideration. Congratulations Zak.”

Butters was also named the AFL’s most courageous player after a vote by his peers.

Living up to the description given to him by Hinkley as a “tough, brave little prick”, Butters was given the honour of accepting the AFL Players’ Association’s Robert Rose Most Courageous Player, presented by Tackle Your Feelings.