Sam Butler is only the second, and current South son who has gone onto professional VFL-AFL footy - and most likely our greatest success story.

Sam was a promising soccer prospect but switched codes at 14 to join South's Junior Colts. He was then recruited by Central District, and later as a member of the AIS-AFL Academy he represented South Australia at under-18 level, before finishing his time at the Bulldogs in their 2003 Reserves premiership.

A medium-sized midfielder who can also play forward, Sam became the West Coast Eagles’ second pick with the 20th selection overall at the 2003 National AFL Draft. As a replacement for champion Ben Cousins, he debuted in Round 10 of 2004, averaging more than 14 possessions in nine successive matches and earning a National AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 17.