The Shepparton export produced a standout game for Adelaide in its shock opening round win over last year's grand finalist Geelong.
Butts, playing in his third AFL match, turned heads with his effort on champion forward Tom Hawkins and even earned selection in a former player's rolling All-Australian team.
Tasked with curtailing the influence of the Cats’ star forward, Adelaide's promising young defender had his work cut out for him.
However, the 2018 Shepparton premiership player held his own.
Butts restricted Hawkins to a miserly three disposals to half-time, as Adelaide supporters caught a glimpse of their side's next Daniel Talia in the Crows’ 12-point win.
“It was a great feeling. Everyone was buzzing in the rooms after the game,” Butts, 21, said.
“I know many thought it was unexpected, but we had the belief heading in that we could win. And a win like that gives us heaps of confidence going forward.
“It shows that our method and style works against the best in the competition and hopefully we can bring performances like that each week.
“After playing well on Charlie (Dixon) in the practice match it gave me confidence that I could perform on guys like Hawkins and Dixon.
“And I've had plenty of help from guys like Daniel (Talia) and assistant coach James Rahilly, who joined us from Geelong in the off-season.
“They've helped me out heaps and it meant I could come in with plenty of belief.”
The young gun, who made his AFL debut last year, credited a huge summer lifting iron in the gym and an earlier start to pre-season for his strong start to the season.
“The focus for me in pre-season was to add a bit more weight and get bigger,” he said.
“I added 6kg and it has definitely paid off. It gives me more of a chance to compete one-on-one with the key forwards.
“I feel a lot stronger and it's only going to benefit me. I stayed in Adelaide for most of pre-season and trained with a few of the boys.
“We pushed ourselves to the limits and it has given us a head start.”
Butts’ sublime round one outing — where he received two coaches’ votes — was followed up by news that he would remain at West Lakes until 2023.
Which proves that the Crows have belief in the former Murray Bushranger to become their next general in defence.
“I’m stoked to be on board and it gives me a lot of confidence to keep improving,” Butts said.
“The past few years have been great and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“I’m looking forward to where the footy club is going, we are all hungry to get better and I’m excited to see what’s ahead.”
Butts will not have to wait long to see what lies ahead, with the Crows travelling to Sydney this weekend to take on the Swans.
And he is champing at the bit about potentially lining up against superstar forward Lance Franklin.
“The Swans had a really good win against the Lions and, like us, they will be really up and about,” he said.
“I'm sure at one stage I will line up on Buddy and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
“I'm pretty excited to have a crack against one of the best going around.”
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