Port's Butters avoids AFL suspension over Zorko clashes

Port Adelaide's Zak Butters (R) has escaped suspension over clashes with Brisbane's Dayne Zorko (L). (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters is free to play in his side's AFL semi-final against GWS after avoiding suspension over his fiery exchanges with Brisbane's Dayne Zorko.

Butters was charged with rough conduct and striking over separate incidents involving Zorko during the first and fourth quarters of Saturday night's qualifying final at the Gabba.

The Power midfielder was fined $3000 for both infractions, with the penalties able to be reduced to $2000 with early guilty pleas.

Butters is a crucial part of Port's premiership plans after his outstanding home-and-away season, which eared him All-Australian honours and the AFL Coaches Association's champion player award.

But the 23-year-old tempted fate in his clashes with Zorko, which included an off-the-ball bump in the back that sent the Lions veteran crashing to the turf.

Butters was jeered by Brisbane fans but finished with a game-high 29 disposals in the Power's 48-point defeat.

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