IT'S COMMONLY accepted forward John Butcher slipped down the draft order from a potential top-two pick to Port Adelaide's first selection at No.8 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft because of concerns over his kicking.

So you could forgive the average AFL fan, watching Butcher for only the second time in the Power's clash with the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, for wondering what all the concern was about.

The 20-year-old recorded a kicking efficiency of 100 per cent in the club's 60-point loss to the Dogs, slotting six goals from six kicks against the inexperienced Bulldogs backline.

Each time he lined up for a set shot, observers in the media questioned where the ball would wind up.

And each time, the former Maffra junior answered his critics with a goal.

He even nailed an unlikely looking helicopter kick from the 'impossible' pocket at the southern end of the ground, floating the ball from right to left and through for a goal.

His first two goals came in quick succession in the second quarter, and helped Port Adelaide steady after conceding 10 goals in the first term.

"'Butch' really led the way up forward and got us back into the game in a sense," teammate Mitch Banner said after the game.

"For a big bloke (197cm) he's pretty quick and his pressure is second-to none at the club.

"He can take a grab, he's good on the lead and he was kicking well today, which was a bonus for him because everyone talks about his kicking.

"That enthusiasm gets the older guys, who have played 100-plus games, up.

"To see a guy in only his second game tackling, putting pressure on and presenting like that just lifts everyone else."

Banner also impressed in the loss to the Dogs.

The tough onballer kicked multiple goals (three) for the third time in seven matches this season, and also gathered 24 possessions and 10 marks.

"I ended up sneaking three goals in, but I got a couple over the back so it was more about the boys' work up the ground and the pressure from them to get the ball and get it over the back to me," he said.

"I was lucky to get in the right spot a couple of times."