HUNTER Zerafa said he felt "amazed and happy" when the 11-year-old was told his letter to Zak Butters had help sway the superstar midfielder's call to join the Western Bulldogs after a long time deciding his future.
AFL.com.au revealed on Tuesday that the letter, which was dropped anonymously into the letterbox of Butters' home and pleaded with him to choose the Dogs alongside an attached 20-cent piece, had struck a chord with the outgoing Port Adelaide midfielder as he weighed up choosing Geelong or the Dogs.
The decision to pick the Bulldogs, which was revealed exclusively by AFL.com.au on Saturday morning, came as Butters had started to consider his legacy of returning to the western suburbs and inspiring the next generation of youngsters in the region.
The Bulldogs had tabled and then upped their record nine-year offer worth $2 million a season to get their man, but the three-time best and fairest winner had also dug deep on the emotional aspect of his call, with the letter from Zerafa that landed last week helping the club's cause.
Hunter's dad, Tristan, said the family had been inspired by the same move made 30 years earlier when a young fan wrote to Chris Grant, who had been considering a mega offer from Port Adelaide but chose to stay at the Bulldogs and credited that letter as a part of his decision.
"Three weeks ago roughly, we were watching TV and Hunter was nearby to me and they reminded viewers of the story from 1996 when Chris Grant received a letter. I shared that with Hunter and he said 'Oh, that's so cool' and he said 'We should write a letter like that to Zak'. So next thing I know, Hunter's penning a letter to him," Tristan told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.
"I couldn't believe it last night. I was getting home from the gym when the article was released and a mate who I coached junior footy with was aware that Hunter had sent a letter to Zak, and he linked me to the article. He said 'This is all Hunter mate, well done'.
"I couldn't believe it. Like, oh my God, that is amazing. I ran down the hallway and woke Hunter up, then we watched the Footy Classified video as a family as well."
In the letter, Hunter said to Butters that his parents live closer to Mars Stadium than GMHBA Stadium anyway.
"If you can play for the Dogs it will leave a lifetime of happy memories, please go to the Dogs. It would mean a lot to me. Here is 20 cents of my money it's not much and it's all I have but giving my savings to you will be worth it if you play for the Dogs," the letter read.
"Please Zak come to the Dogs. From Hunter, 11 years old."
On Wednesday, Hunter said he was surprised that his new hero had been impacted by his letter.
"My dad was watching a show where this boy gave this person a letter to stay at the Bulldogs and I thought it would be a good idea to write a letter to Zak Butters for him to come to the Bulldogs," the 11-year-old said.
"I felt amazed and happy that he had seen it.
"He's a really good player and he'll make our midfield really, really good. I reckon we'll finish in the top four next year."
Tristan said Hunter hoped he would be able to meet with Butters, whose move to the Dogs will be formalised via the upcoming trade and free agency period.
"He'd be ecstatic, absolutely elated to meet him," his dad said.
"His younger brother actually presented a premiership medal to Noah Answerth in 2024, he was one of the NAB Auskickers of the year. Hunter was so proud of his younger brother, but he felt a little bit left out. Now he doesn't feel left out at all, so both our boys are elated and have some AFL experiences that will live long in the memory bank."