SANDRINGHAM Dragons star Arki Butler is our Talent League Player of the Week after a scintillating Round 1 performance. The classy midfielder-forward collected 26 disposals and booted 4.2 in his side’s thumping 52-point win over Eastern Ranges at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon.

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The clash marked a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, where Eastern broke the Dragons’ streak of three consecutive flags. Butler brought up a hat-trick of his own during the first term, booting three straight goals within just four minutes to mark an electric opening to his top-age season.

Butler started the day in midfield but spent plenty of time resting forward. His creativity and movement caused headaches for the Ranges all day, as he crafted paths into attack and looked to do damage with each foray. His keen eye for goal remained fixed, registering six scoring shots for four majors.

On top of his exploits inside 50, a pleasing aspect of Butler’s game was his contested output. The 182cm prospect amassed a game-high 17 contested possessions and won four clearances to earn a tick for his midfield craft. Stoppage work was his main area for improvement in preseason.

Butler has long been held in high regard. He won All-Australian plaudits at the 2024 Under 16 National Championships and broke through for a Vic Metro Under 18 berth last year. Heading into 2026, he was inducted into the National Academy and will inevitably be a key figure for Metro.

He and the Dragons continue their first block of the season with three more games at RSEA Park, against the Oakleigh Chargers, Dandenong Stingrays, and Calder Cannons. The venue will be even more familiar to Butler, given he spent a week training there with St Kilda during preseason.

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2026 TALENT LEAGUE POTW

Round 1: ARKI BUTLER (Sandringham Dragons)