30 June 2001
Geography is important in football. You can use the old divider from the school geometry set to make a line between Grovedale and Geelong. Grove boys include Michael Schulze, Menschy, Simon Fletcher and Matthew Primus grandson of the legendary RJ Hickey. Primus played in the hooped Under 19s and seconds before moving to South Australia. At Port Adelaide big Matthew is the Great Wall of China the only human produced landmark visible from space. One more player completes the Grovedale collection. Kent Butcher.
Now Butch arrived at Catland in the late 80s. The young fellow with the blond hair revealed some dash in the thirds. A running half back and midfielder. He was a skilled ball carrier something of the nascent Ken Hinkley whose brilliance was encouraged by Malcolm Blight. Butcher was promoted to the reserves in 1991. He wore the altitudinous number 50 jumper vacated by Tony Malakellis. Number 53 was Primus. KB played some good footy in the frost crunchers. Supplied in the 48 guernsey a forward named Ben Graham exactly three days older than Butcher. Also the half century guy fed a lively forward pocket player named Paul Lynch wearing 43. These were exciting times. But with experienced campaigners such as Mick Mansfield and Sean Simpson and Trevor Poole Kent would have trouble breaking into the seniors. As he was hungry for senior action, Geelong advised that his opportunities lay elsewhere.
Collingwood needed some backline bolstering. The Pies sought a player with the presence of the Eiffel Tower with the pace of a formula one Ferrari and the rebounding ability of Charles Barkley. They acquired Kent Butcher with 1993 pre season pick 45. Their new arrival was 182 centimetres, 76 kilograms. The Maggies gave him the number 24 used by Mick Bone and Andrew Ireland and Jamie Turner.
KB was like Scandal ' Us. An instant hit. Nothing bigger than 1993 round 21 against Carlton at the G. In front of 70,000 Butcher played with great style. He annoyed Bradley with disciplined tagging. Plus deep in the opening stanza Kent intercepted a pass intended for the Blues 21, played on and drove through a major from 35, Punt Road end. Unfortunately not enough. Carlton an emphatic victory.
Butch had four senior games in his first year. He performed nicely in 1994 round 2 against the old enemy from Royal Park. Daicos did a lap of honour before hostilities started. As a rebounder across half back Kento was quick with hand and foot. Half way through the last a clever little pass set up Gavin Brown for a goal. Coconut on the lamington. Pies victorious 14.16 to 9.12.
Round 8 versus the Saints at the G. 20 minutes into the second KB got a lift from the pack and rose so high he nearly caught the airship. One of the marks of the year. Collingwood on Easey Street 19.13 to 11.12. Butch kicked a courageous goal in the round 14 debacle at the Gabba. Brisbane won with room to spare 17.19 to 11.11. At Geelong in 1995 round 3 Kent ran with Aaron Lord. Kept him in check. Also at crisis time in the last quarter Kent booted a valuable goal. Cats squeaked home 18.14 to 14.11. The KP cause was helped by six from Ablett. Round 13 v. Adelaide at the MCG. Collingwood dominated. In trash time during the last Butcher took a monstrous hanger that had Pies fans reaching for superlatives. Woods a great win 24.8 to 7.14.
Kento suffered a severe back injury that season. The problem resulted in him being delisted at the end of '95 after 22 games. He was drafted by the Swans with 1996 pre season draft number 7. Physical problems prevented him from proceeding.
For persistence Kent Butcher was a Colossos of Rhodes.