Parachuted into the team after ruckman Matthew Lobbe injured his ankle on Thursday evening, Butcher got involved early against the Cats at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Match Report: Power v Cats
He took a solid mark early in the first quarter - about 45 metres out directly in front of goals.
The ensuing kick however missed the target completely and went out of bounds on the full.
A carbon copy followed in the second term.
It was not the ideal way to kick start his return to AFL football after spending the last ten months trundling around Alberton Oval in a post-surgery rehabilitation group and playing in the SANFL.
But it was his work at contests, around the ball and defensively which gave Hinkley hope Butcher will provide a dynamic forward option to the Power this year.
He just expects a better return in front of goals.
"I though Butch looked lively, I thought (he) was offering us something," Hinkley said post-game.
"Disappointingly he didn't finish his work, but to have a power forward with his speed off the mark and find the ball is an enourmous positive for us.
"He was much better today, at AFL level, than he has been the last couple of weeks at SANFL level, which is really important for us."
So more 'Butch' in the Power lineup appears likely.
With key, experienced backmen out of the team demanding quality defensive midfielders like Hamish Hartlett and Justin Westhoff sit behind play more often, supplementing the tall stocks up forward is important to provide support to focal point Jay Schulz.
"We need him in our team going forward, and we like what he brings to the team," said Hinkley
"I thought today he showed glimpses to everyone of what's in Johnny Butcher.
"I'm really bullish about the future for him."
For his set-shot kicking, the answer is simple: hard work at training and improvement in his football craft.
"He's going to have to continue to work at it," said Hinkley.
"John's got to go back, work hard, get out with his coaches on the ground and work on his craft.
"We know in the history of the game no one kicks 100% anyhow, it's just due to some of the misses and what it does to the team ... to the confidence of the team, and more so to John."
Hinkley said that the game, being his first since July last year, clearly took its toll on Butcher, but he expects him to bounce back in his next match.
"We need him in our team going forward, and we like what he brings to the team," said Hinkley
"I thought today he showed glimpses to everyone of what's in Johnny Butcher.
"I'm really bullish about the future for him."
For his set-shot kicking, the answer is simple: hard work at training and improvement in his football craft.
"He's going to have to continue to work at it," said Hinkley.
"John's got to go back, work hard, get out with his coaches on the ground and work on his craft.
"We know in the history of the game no one kicks 100% anyhow, it's just due to some of the misses and what it does to the team ... to the confidence of the team, and more so to John."
Hinkley said that the game, being his first since July last year, clearly took its toll on Butcher, but he expects him to bounce back in his next match.
