Relentless, respected, reliable: Nat's a heart and soul Rooster

Forward Nat Butcher is the ‘Quiet Achiever’ of the Sydney Roosters who teammates certainly appreciate even if he gets overlooked at times among the galaxy of stars at the Bondi club.

"He is definitely under-rated - both the Butcher boys are,” Connor Watson told NRL.com of Nat and younger brother Egan. 

"To go out for a match and look to your right and see Nat there you just know you're in a good spot." 

Butcher is enjoying his 11th season at the Roosters since debuting off the bench as a 19-year-old in the last round of the 2016 season.

He has two premiership rings (2018-19) and made the Junior Kangaroos touring side in 2019 alongside players like Kalyn Ponga, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Roosters teammates Angus Crichton and Victor Radley. 

While those four have all gone on to play State of Origin, Butcher’s lone rep jumper came in the 2022 Prime Minister’s XIII. 

"He's been doing the same thing since we started playing together and that's just holding down the middle of the field,” Radley said. 

"He's someone you want out there because his defence is exceptional - he doesn't miss tackles and he'll have 20 carries.” 

Butcher makes an average 13 carries and 127 metres coming off the bench for the Roosters, with a tackle efficiency of 97.6 per cent. He also has 22 tackle-breaks in his 24 games this year. 

"He is Mr Consistent,” Watson said.  

"He's had a pretty interrupted last couple of years with injuries (knee reconstruction) and some illness, so for him to get a full pre-season in for us shows because he's been so reliable whether it's off the bench or starting. 

"He's played lock, played in the back row and in the front and been consistent in all his performances.” 

The 29-year-old Butcher looks almost unflappable on the field with a presence and calmness. 

"He is - he has to be - he and Harmony have three kids under three," said Watson.

Son Beau was born in April 2024 and then twin daughters Belle and Billie arrived January this year. 

Radley adds: "He's got that spark back this year... he's carrying like Jason Taumalolo.  

”He just goes about his work and does it relentlessly. 

"This year I feel he's been unbelievable. No matter how much fatigue is in the game if you're looking for someone to get you out of trouble, give you some yardage, it's always him.”