AFL star Zak Butters reported for ‘abusive language’ during clash against St Kilda

Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters could find himself in hot water after he appeared to reported for abusive language during Sunday night’s loss to St Kilda.

Butters was at fault for a 50m penalty that gave the Saints a crucial goal during the third quarter in a confusing incident.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Umpire reports Butters for abusive language

St Kilda held a 27-point lead at half-time, but the Power were threatening to make a game of it as the heavens opened during the third term.

But they couldn’t find a goal and then Jordon Sweet gave away a needless free kick for holding Mitch Owens in the ruck following a boundary throw-in.

It initially appeared to be a soft call, but replays showed Sweet had a fist-full of Owens’ guernsey.

Butters and teammate Ollie Wines were ropable at the decision and one of them appeared to say something in earshot of the umpire.

The umpire immediately paid a 50m penalty, which resulted in a certain goal to Owens.

Both Butters and Wines were confused by who the free kick was against before it later emerged umpire Nick Foot told Butters he is going to report him.

“I’m reporting you,” Foot said.

Butters immediately replied saying, “for what?”.

During the three-quarter time break, 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire said it wasn’t initially clear if the report had been lodged.

“So the umpire saying he is going to put Zak Butters on report. No official word if any paperwork has been lodged at this stage, but they were the words from umpire Nick Foot,” he said.

Speaking to Channel 7 after the match, Butters was adamant he didn’t say anything that warranted a report.

He said he even tried to chat to Foot about the issue after the match, but the umpire said he didn’t want to talk to him.

“I’d love to know the language that I said, because I went up to him after the game to have a chat and he said he didn’t want to speak to me,” Butters said.

“All I said was, ‘how is that a free kick’ and he paid 50 and said I’m on report.

“I had a few teammates there right next to me, Ollie Wines ... I’m curious to follow that one up because I’m never going to say anything bad to the umpires.

“I just wanted to follow up and ask what he thought I said from his end.”

He went on to say he definitely didn’t use any expletives and will defend himself against any potential charges.

“I think I’m a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires so I’m sure the club will deal with that,” he added.

“I’d fight to the hills because I know what I said and I didn’t say anything bad.”

At the time of the decision, the commentary team were confused by what exactly had happened.

“Wow, giving the 50 and not making him kick what was a difficult goal to kick in the rain is unforgivable,” Brian Taylor said in commentary.

Kane Cornes added: “They both look at each other and go, what are you talking about? Wines thought it was him, Butters can’t believe that it was him, but someone said something.”

Cornes went on to say that the decision needs to be explained after the game.

“Like, you can beep out the expletives if there was one, but you need to bring the fans along for the ride,” he said.

“That’s a big moment, big goal. What was the 50 metre penalty for? Who was it against?”

Despite the Saints pushing their lead beyond 30 points during the third quarter, the Power came roaring back on the back of Butters and Jason Horne-Francis.

Port trailed by nine points at three-quarter time, and sneaked within eight early in the last quarter.

But a rare goal from recruit Jack Silvagni, from a 50m ‘stand’ penalty against Jason Horne-Francis, gave the Saints precious space before a long Mattias Phillipou bomb effectively sealed victory.

St Kilda’s win lifts them to a 2-3 record, the same as Port.

Trump card Nasiah Wangeen-Milera was influential with two goals, 28 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances.

Teammates Mitch Owens and Phillipou also kicked two majors while Jack Sinclair (23 disposals) and Hugo Garcia (26, one goal) provided grunt in the packs.

Butters, acting captain in the absence of Connor Rozee (hamstring), was outstanding, as was Horne-Francis (two goals, 26 touches).

Veterans Darcy Byrne-Jones (21 touches, one goal) and Ollie Wines (26 possessions) revelled in the wet, while spearhead Mitch Georgiades and Corey Durdin both kicked two goals.

The Saints dominated the opening term with four consecutive goals. When Phillipou converted, they led 27-0.

Port, deploying Jase Burgoyne to win over Wanganeen-Milera in the first half, trailed by 20 points at quarter-time.

Wanganeen-Milera got busy early in the second term, kicking a goal and delivering inside 50m for another as St Kilda crafted a match-high 32-point break.

But Port responded with a three-goal quarter only for a late Owens strike to boost St Kilda’s halftime advantage to 27 points.

A third-term flashpoint soon gave the Saints further scoring ammunition when Owens goaled after the controversial 50m penalty.

That put the Saints 31 points clear and, with heavy rain falling, seemingly safe.

Butters and Horne-Francis rallied their troops as Port kicked four goals to two in the third quarter.

But Port could only come as close as eight points in the last term before the Saints kicked clear.

- With AAP