Butterfield was not as effective in the last dozen or so games but I don’t think it was fitness related.
Two things happened. Even the less tactically aware of our opponents realised that stopping Butterfield negated about 80% of our attacking threat. Given most opposition had at least one extra player in midfield this was easy for them.
At the same time Dean became more concerned with not losing and we saw less off Denton and Ogle pushing on and more of Roberts, Corbett, Sembie-Ferris, McAlinden or Beestin (whoever was nominally playing wide forward) were creeping back to become half arsed wide midfielders.
Left Butterfield (and Clunan and Scales) with very little to play forward passes to.
Disappointed he has gone as we all know how good he is in a side with a positive outlook. Gives Beestin the chance to finally nail that attacking midfield role which is where he does his best stuff.
