Following an impressive pre-season Butler made his AFL debut in round 1 , 2017 against in the season opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground . He finished the game with nineteen disposals , two goals and was named among Richmond 's best by journalists at Fairfax and AFL Media . He was again named in the club 's best in round 3 , this time kicking two goals to go with 17 disposals . Butler 's early performances , along with forward-line companions Jason Castagna and Daniel Rioli , played a key role in Richmond 's five game unbeaten start to the season . After five rounds the small-forward trio had combined for 23 goals ( Butler with seven ) and 44 tackles ( 16 for Butler ) . After eight consecutive games played , Butler was ruled out from the club 's round 9 clash with with a groin injury . He returned to football in round 11 , kicking two goals in his side 's victory over . For his performance he received the round 11 nomination for the 2017 AFL Rising Star award . He bested that output in round 14 though , turning in a career best three goals in a win over at Adelaide Oval . He received a Goal of the Week nomination for one of those , involving a 70-metre run through the centre square evading multiple opponents before scoring from 40 metres out . He would record three goal hauls on two more occasions that season , in round 17 against Brisbane and in a 104-point demolition of Fremantle in round 22 . When September came Butler continued his contributions to Richmond 's forward line , kicking one goal in a winning qualifying final against Geelong and two more against the GWS Giants in a preliminary final victory a fortnight later . He became a premiership player seven days later , when he kicked a sealing goal in the fourth quarter of Richmond 's 48 point Grand Final victory over . In addition to his premiership honours , Butler received the 2017 Cosgrove-Jenkins award as the club 's best debutant player as well as placing equal-eighth overall in the club 's best and fairest award . Butler also earned a nomination to the 40-man squad , but ultimately went unselected in the final team of the AFL Players ' Association 's 22 Under 22 team which recognises the best young players in the league . He finished the year ranked first among rising star eligible players for total goals , goal assists and tackles inside 50 as well as top five for inside 50s , score involvements , tackles and marks inside 50
2017 AFL Rising Star
2017 AFL Rising Star
Dan Butler (Australian footballer)