The class of 2021 has been unlike any group of Sydney Roosters debutants for some time, and plenty of Roosters Members and supporters alike have taken notice of a young tearaway forward in Egan Butcher.
The 21-year-old back rower has worn the Tricolours since his first-grade debut in Round 12 and has been thriving through the weekly rigours of the NRL, particularly as the semi-finals get closer with each and every week.
Although his form has warranted a place on the team's bench for the last eight consecutive matches, it is the pride in being able to pull on the Red, White and Blue alongside older brother Nat which pleases him the most.
“It’s been pretty special," Egan admitted.
“I’ve still been getting texts from family about how proud it makes them, especially mum, dad and both nans and pops.
“It kind of has sunk in for me, and I’m just taking it as it is now, but I know it does make the family proud to see which makes me happy.
“I was going for my debut for a while and as soon as I got it this year, I’ve really looked at the Roosters jersey and the way that I want to play.
"There’s a real style that you’ve got to play with when you put on that jersey. I feel like I’ve been going for that every week.”
Round 22 Media - Egan Butcher
Following a modest debut on the Central Coast in the side's Round 12 win against the Canberra Raiders, Butcher has provided plenty of grunt from the interchange bench, particularly over last month, as he looks to nail down a spot in the Roosters' starting seventeen.
In his last four matches, he has averaged 85 metres - 43 post-contact - and has maintained a 94% tackle efficiency in just under half an hour of regular game time, and it's his role in providing that kind of impact which is what he is striving for first and foremost.
“Just working hard and trying to bring that impact off the bench,” he said when asked of his short-term goals.
“I know that is my job and to come on and bring a bit of energy and spark to really change the game.
“I’ve kind of just been doing that and I’m working on my connection with the boys.
"When I do have that opportunity to go, I just want to go hard and make an impact."
There’s a real style that you’ve got to play with when you put on that jersey. I feel like I’ve been going for that every week.
Egan Butcher On playing for the Roosters
While the Tricolours have been buoyed by the inclusion of fellow 2021 debutants including Fletcher Baker, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker, it was the experienced campaigners in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley that Butcher gravitated towards, citing the toughness of the forward pack as something he is looking to adopt in his own game.
“When I first debuted in the first couple of games played, I really looked at Jared,” Butcher said.
“Just coming on in the middle and putting a few 80-minute performances there. In recent times, Rads; just the way he goes about his game, and he’s also been playing some big minutes.
“The entire forward pack. They’re all tough blokes and just the way they go about their business is really what I’m going for.”
More on Roosters.com.au
'It's an Awesome Feeling': Butcher Building Beautiful Bonds
UPDATE: Judiciary Update Round 21
Tarsha Gale Graduates Highlight Strength of Roosters' Pathways
