AFL Stars and League Criticized Over Recurring Bad Behavior

Port Adelaide's season has taken a downturn, and star midfielder Zak Butters is under fire for his repeated striking incidents. This has led to sharp criticism from league greats, including Garry Lyon and Nathan Buckley, who are calling out both Butters and the AFL for their handling of the situation.

Butters' Striking Incidents

Zak Butters received his fourth striking fine in 16 games this season. The most recent incident involved hitting Brisbane's Jarrod Berry behind the play during a game in which Port Adelaide lost by 79 points at Adelaide Oval. Butters was fined $10,000 for the hit, reduced to $6,250 with an early plea.

Overturned Suspension

Just last week, Butters had a one-match suspension overturned for a strike on Tom Green. This repeated behavior is causing frustration among commentators and fans alike.

Criticism from League Greats

Garry Lyon and Nathan Buckley expressed their disappointment on Fox Footy's On The Couch.

• Nathan Buckley: "His actions are causing this. He needs to be aware that he’s a repeat offender and adjust his behavior."

• Garry Lyon: "The AFL is responsible for allowing this to continue. How can we run a competition where players can keep getting fined without harsher consequences?"

Lyon sarcastically suggested that Butters could walk into the AFL office and prepay for his fines, emphasizing how lenient the current system is.

Call for Stricter Punishments

Both Lyon and Buckley believe the AFL needs to enforce stricter penalties.

• Buckley: "How many fines before it leads to a suspension? Maybe after two fines, the third should be a suspension."

• Lyon: "I’d fine them once, then give a choice of a huge fine or a suspension for the second offense. After that, just suspend them."

Clayton Oliver Mentioned

Garry Lyon also mentioned Melbourne's Clayton Oliver, who has shown signs of similar behavior by giving away free kicks, though he has not reached Butters' level of infractions.

Upcoming Matches

Port Adelaide, currently in eighth place, faces a crucial match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium this Sunday. This game is vital for keeping their finals hopes alive.

Zak Butters' repeated striking incidents and the AFL's handling of such behavior have sparked significant criticism from notable AFL figures. With calls for stricter penalties, it remains to be seen how the league will respond to these ongoing issues.