Young Adelaide defender Jordon Butts has tackled some of the AFL’s best key forwards and he’s relishing the challenge. 

Selected by Adelaide at Pick no. 39 in the 2018 Rookie Draft, Butts made his debut in Round 13 last year. 

The 21-year-old has played every round thus far in 2021, facing off against some of the league’s biggest names. 

“It’s been good to play every week and learn so much about consistency and recovery,” he said. 

“I’m definitely learning along the way. It’s been great to have a challenge each week, taking the best key forward each week and gaining a lot of confidence.”

Butts’ most difficult match-up so far?

“Probably Matt Taberner from Fremantle, he’s just a good contested mark,” Butts said. 

“I like to pride myself on my one v one contests and being able to outstring my opponents. But he’s been really good one-on-one and he protects the space well, so he’s probably the hardest.”

The defender said the frantic effort to secure Adelaide’s clutch one-point win over undefeated Melbourne was one of the highlights of his season so far. 

“It was unreal, it was good to see Tex kick the goal that put us in front,” he said. 

“I knew there was only so many seconds left so I had to just dig in for that last 30-odd seconds."

Also on The Optus Crows Show this week, Brodie Smith chats with Jackson Hately and Mitch Hinge opens up on the silver linings of his Round One injury. 

The Optus Crows Show airs on Channel 7 Adelaide at 1.00pm on Sunday.

Interstate fans can catch the full episode on afc.com.au shortly after.