NRL 2022, Nat Butcher, Four tries, Sydney Roosters forward reflects on standout performance

Despite having a bruise from a stray elbow under his left eye, nothing could stop the shine of Nat Butcher’s four-try performance in the Sydney Roosters final at the SCG.

In what is likely to be one of the toughest rugby league quizzes of the future, Butcher – who had scored 12 tries in his previous 98 games – was a constant threat to the Wests Tigers defense, crossing the streak on 11th, 29th, 52nd and 72nd . minute.

His blossoming partnership with Sam Walker booked the quartet, with the wily No.7 serving up two of his tries with deft kicks. Luke Keary used the back rower for his second try and he was the beneficiary of a Joseph Suaalii who grabbed a bombshell for his hat trick.

It’s the first time he can remember crossing four tries in a game.

But, in his humble way, he was quick to downplay the performance.

“To be honest, I don’t worry too much about it,” he said of the four try hol.

“I was just happy that we won like that. Our last night at the SCG was a big game for us and we knew how much it meant and we’ve loved that it’s been our home for the last few seasons to be able to play like we have as a team means the most.

“I just have to be in the right place at the right time and play with guys like Keary or Teddy [James Tedesco] and Sam Walker, opportunities like this will come.”

It was up to the Butcher’s coach and captain to heap praise on the Roosters’ new Mr. Fix-it.

“We’re really proud of Nat Butcher and the player that he is and how hard he works. He got the rewards this year. He’s one of our players and we love the way he plays,” said coach Trent Robinson.

Tedesco said: “He probably does a lot of the work that goes unnoticed. Defensively, a lot of those one percent areas that we know we’re going to get that out of Nat.

After swapping between a few different roles, Butcher said he’s enjoying being part of the Roosters’ damaging right edge after Sitili Tupouniua sustained an injury that gave him seven tries in his last four games.

He said he’s enjoying his combination with Walker, who heads into his 100th game against the Melbourne Storm next week.

“I like playing with Sam Walker; He’s a young kid and an exciting player and he’s really come a long way since his debut so I’m really enjoying and loving playing with him,” he said.