Playing 100 matches is a great feat in any sport.
But, it’s even more impressive when it’s in the top grade at your junior club.
That’s what Jayden Butterfield will accomplish this weekend when he runs onto No 1 Sportsground for the Maitland Pickers in its Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) clash with the Cessnock Goannas.
And, it is another highlight the young front-rower has racked up on an already illustrious resume… with more deeds to come moving forward.
“One-hundred games is always nice; however, to achieve 100 first grade appearances, that’s a key milestone,” Maitland head coach Matt Lantry said.
“Obviously, he’s been part of the (Newcastle) Knights, he’s gone down to the Wests Tigers, but I think Butts (Butterfield) looks a bit further afield than just what a rugby league career might look like.
“He’s got a very good job that pays well.
“He is setting his family up financially, he’s in a good place and he can still get his footy fix by playing at a good level in Newcastle Rugby League.
“I’m sure a lot of guys will churn out 100 first grade matches across the competition.
“But, there’s not too many in the game at the moment who could say ‘I’ve done it at the one club’.
“Loyalty and commitment [to his junior club] is second to none with Butts.
“That’s why I think it adds more prestige to it.
“He’s achieved those 100 first grade games at the Maitland Pickers, where he started his junior footy – and come through the ranks.
“It’s a credit to Butts, who’s been there for the good times, and no doubt the hard times as well, just tackling it season upon season.”
Butterfield, a former Australian Schoolboy star, has enjoyed a stellar 12 months.
He won the Denton Engineering Cup with the Pickers in 2022, securing Man of the Match honours, before backing up that effort to secure the NSW President’s Cup with his team-mates.
This season, he was part of the successful Newcastle Rebels, which captured the Country Championship, and earned a spot in the Country outfit that knocked over City earlier this year.
Lantry admitted the prop brought that form – and more – to the Maitland organisation.
“I guess, he’s one of three major contributors to our pack,” he said.
“Ando (Sam Anderson), Jimmy (James Taylor) and Butts all complement each other really, really well.
“However, his raw strength is just outstanding.
“He’s probably the strongest player in our club… and he doesn’t go to the gym.
“That’s his natural strength.
“Butts is also a wholehearted player – he’s not a big talker, however he lets his actions do the talking for him.
“He’s like that in the changeroom, too.
“He’ll just say ‘let’s get on the park’.
“What he brings to the group is more his actions as opposed to anything else.
“But, he’s a massive part of our club.
“So, with his wonderful milestone, we certainly need to recognise and create an occasion around it.”
It means taking down the Goannas on Saturday 24 June and avenging the Pickers’ only loss in 2023.
However, the showdown boasts even more to the players than that.
Maitland will also commemorate the club’s 1983 premiership victory over Cessnock.
“You always want to ensure that whenever there are guys making their debuts or achieving milestones within their career that they look back on that game as a fond memory and a great occasion,” Lantry told the Newcastle Weekly.
“And, it doesn’t get any bigger than this weekend.
“We have one playing two, a Coalfield derby; the reunion of the Pickers beating the Goannas 40 years ago; Sponsors’ Day; and then tie that in with Butts’ 100th.
“So, it’s a huge day for the club with plenty to play for.
“Also, we can potentially gap Cessnock by five points on the ladder if we win, which would go a long way towards securing a minor premiership at the back end.
“There’s still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but it’s a leap forward in that direction.
“We’d love nothing more than to see a huge crowd turnout at No 1 Sportsground on Butts’ 100th.
“Plus, people can meet some of the past legends of our club, like Robert Finch, Milton Burrows and the other boys from that ‘83 era.
“Hopefully, we can do those guys – and our supporters – proud with a really good performance and a win on Saturday.”
Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
Denton Engineering Cup
Round 12 results:
- Wyong Roos d Lakes United Seagulls 30-18
- Central Newcastle Butcher Boys d Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 34-32
- The Entrance Tigers d Western Suburbs Rosellas 30-25
- South Newcastle Lions d Macquarie Scorpions 40-18
- Maitland Pickers d Northern Hawks 52-10
- Bye: Cessnock Goannas
Round 13 draw:
Saturday 24 June
- 3pm: Kurri Kurri Bulldogs v South Newcastle Lions (Kurri Kurri Sports Ground)
- 3pm: Maitland Pickers v Cessnock Goannas (No 1 Sportsground)
- 3pm: Wyong Roos v Macquarie Scorpions (Morry Breen Oval)
Sunday 25 June
- 3pm: Western Suburbs Rosellas v Lakes United Seagulls (Harker Oval)
- 3pm: Central Newcastle Butcher Boys v The Entrance Tigers (St John Oval)
- Bye: Northern Hawks
For more sports stories:
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.