The selflessness and strong team-first ethos that symbolises the on-field demeanour of speedy, skilful small forward Dan Butler, was equally as evident when he spoke to the media in the Richmond rooms following the Tigers’ Round 1 success against Carlton at the MCG.

Butler was coming off a fine first-up season of AFL football in 2017, where he had played every game, including the Grand Final triumph over Adelaide, received a Rising Star nomination and been ranked No. 1 among the competition’s Rising Stars for goals (30 in total), goal assists, tackles and tackles inside 50.

And the 21-year-old had started the 2018 season in impressive style, with 13 disposals, six inside-50s, seven tackles, 48 pressure points, nine score involvements, three goals, three goal assists, and 344 metres gained in Richmond’s 26-point victory over the Blues.

Post-game, however, Butler was particularly keen to focus on the Tigers’ tight-knit group of forwards and spread of goalkickers.

“We did a lot of work over summer. We developed a good platform last year and we just wanted to keep building on that,” Butler told 3AW.

“As long as we’re putting pressure on, and not getting outmarked, then we’re doing our job.

“We’re all different shapes and sizes, so we can all be targets.

“We don’t care who kicks the goals, as long as the team’s kicking goals.”