6. Mark Williams

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like col44 will be one of the posters responsible for looking after Willo for us this season.

Take it away, col!

[RustyHawk]

Mark Williams stats for season 2007.

Suffered a knock to his knee in the game against North Melbourne.

Played against the Cats kicking 3 goals but the injury became worse requiring a knee operation effectively ending his 2007 season.

Player Statistics - 2007 Home & Away
Round.... Date.......... Vs........ K H P M HO T FF FA G B
Round 1 31/03/2007 Lions....... 2 2 4 0. 0...0 0... 1. 0 1
Round 2 09/04/2007 Demons... 10 5 15. 6.. 0 1 4. 0 6 2
Round 3 15/04/2007 Kangaroos 8 4 12 4 0 3 3 1 .....4 1
Round 4 22/04/2007 Cats........5 1 6 1 0 0 0 1....... 3 1

[RustyHawk]

Mark Williams
Fast Facts
Jumper No: 6
Height: 180
Weight: 82
DOB: 1983-04-13
Recruited From: South Fremantle (WA)
Career Matches: 72
Career Goals: 167

2007 Home & Away Totals
Matches: 4
Goals: 13
Marks: 11
Disposals: 37
Kicks: 25

[RustyHawk]

Williams makes slow recovery
Martin Blake, Stephen Rielly and Martin Boulton | June 6, 2007

HAWTHORN full-forward Mark Williams is on track to discard his crutches by the end of the month, but is still far from a certain return this season.

Williams, who most recently played in round four after receiving cartilage damage to a knee that required surgery in late April, is still restricted to crutches and forbidden to put pressure on his leg by walking unaided.

He is, according to Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans, "probably" three weeks away from putting his crutches down and placing weight back on his leg.

"If everything goes as well as it can, Mark should be able to start some light running and load-bearing exercises after that," Evans said. "He still has to be assessed to determine how well or not the cartilage has regenerated and if it has to the satisfaction of the surgeon, then he will be able to start to build himself back up.

"I think the expectation is that if he was able to start training again, he would need at least a month of work to put himself into some sort of selection consideration and then need a couple of matches in the VFL first … I suppose round 18 or 19 is a chance (for an AFL return) …"

In more injury news at Hawthorn, captain Richie Vandenberg hopes to return to action within six weeks after having shoulder surgery today.

Vandenberg injured his right shoulder last weekend playing for the Hawks' VFL affiliate Box Hill.

Yesterday, he saw a specialist who confirmed a grade-three rupture of the ligaments in his AC joint.

Vandenberg has played only one senior match this season because of hamstring problems and there were fears shoulder surgery could rule him out for the rest of the year.

Hawthorn's football operations manager Mark Evans said while this injury was another setback to Vandenberg's season, he was confident the captain would return to action in July.

In his absence, the club captaincy will be rotated between Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge.

[RustyHawk]

Williams forced out for season
Stephen Rielly | July 26, 2007

MARK Williams, Hawthorn's most prolific forward of the past two years, has lost his bid to play again this season and figure in what is shaping to be the club's first finals campaign since 2001.

The Hawks decided yesterday, after a recent setback in his recovery from knee surgery almost four months ago, that Williams no longer has sufficient time to return.

Hawthorn football manager, Mark Evans said that the club always wanted the 24-year-old to train without hindrance for a month and then make his way back to match fitness through the VFL, but the earliest return at best was late September.

"Mark has unfortunately run out of time to play this year," Evans said.

"If we were playing football in October, he would be fine but, of course, we won't be."

Williams last played in round four, against Geelong, and was Hawthorn's leading goal-kicker at that point in the season with 13 goals. He led the attack with 63 goals in 2005 and followed that breakthrough season with a 60-goal effort last year.

After first hurting his knee in round three against the Kangaroos, Williams played against the Cats the following week but required surgery to remove cartilage and bone fragments from the joint days later.

Even though he was on crutches for eight weeks and prohibited from placing weight on his leg, it was then thought that a return was possible around rounds 17 or 18.

"We always said that to make sure his recovery was as good as it possibly could be, he had to pass each stage before going on to the next. Unfortunately, he hasn't passed the latest stage," Evans continued.

"We upped his training load and added some light kicking into that in the hope that he could then move into the mainstream program but his knee puffed up.

"He is going to have a complete break from training for two weeks and then start again."

Evans said there were no fears that the injury could amount to a chronic problem. Ruckman Robert Campbell, he said, had a similar injury in the first game of 2005, and while he did not play again that year, he played all 22 games the next season and has not missed a match this year.

[shotta]

Mark Williams."My Man 2008".

Games: 76 Score: G180 B 88 P1168

Disposals: 563 Ave: 7.4

Marks: 268 Ave: 3.5

Goals: 180 Ave: 2.4

Career

2002 3 Games 1.1

2003 9 Games 10.9

2004 21 Games 33.12

2005 19 Games 63.35

2006 20 Games 60.26

2007 4 Games 13.5

Favorite opponents in order: Fremantle, Bulldogs, Geelong, Melbourne, Essendon.

[Big Ronnie]

With selction number 3 in the 2007 Super Draft Shotta has taken Mark "Shotty" Williams.

Congrats Shotta and we look forward to your input for the season.

(Keep us updated on the knee:thumbsu:)

BR

[shotta]

So looking forward to the great mans return. I remember in the mid 80's when Bucky did his knee in the GF. Not sure how long he missed, one thing I do remember is when he made his comeback game against Richmond and very early on kicked a goal at the Punt rd end. The roar was something you don't get too often, it was finals like full of pride and passion and expectation. Im positive the same thing will happen for Willo and he might even bring back the Shotgun come round 13 or 14.

[noosa hawk mad]

Williams gladdens Hawks

Nick Sheridan | February 9, 2008

MARK WILLIAMS' ability to run out a full game was one of the highlights of yesterday's Hawthorn intraclub match at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, coach Alastair Clarkson said.
Clarkson said Williams, who was playing for the first time since succumbing to a knee injury in round four last year, had been a welcome return.
"It was good that Mark was able to have a really good hitout today," Clarkson said.
"You know he was a player sorely missed by us last year and he just gives us a different sort of dimension down there (in the forward line), he's obviously very, very elusive."
Williams started the game slowly but began to fire late in the second quarter, gathering some effective possessions and kicking a goal.
"He's put in a really good block of training over the course of the last eight to 12 weeks and he's really excited about what the season's going to unfold for him," the coach said of his club's leading goalkicker for 2005 and 2006.
Other returns from injury were Tim Clarke, who missed most of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, and Danny Jacobs, who played nine games last year before injuring his hip. Both players got a lot of game time and appeared to be free of their injuries.
Tim Boyle made an impact on the game, kicking five goals in the first half, and rookie Cameron Stokes showed his ability in attack with three majors late in the game.
Lance Franklin had a hot and cold day, finding plenty of the ball but finishing with 3.5.
There were solid performances from a host of the usual suspects, including captain Sam Mitchell and Chance Bateman, but there was also plenty of promise shown by some of the new faces, particularly first-round draft pick Cyril Rioli, who kicked two goals, and second-year ruck prospect Brent Renouf, who was good in the hitouts and covered the ground well.
Beau Muston also carried the ball well and Xavier Ellis found some good chances to show his skills in the midfield and defence.
Clarkson also was pleased with the progress of Port Adelaide premiership player Stuart Dew, who spent most of the game on the ground across half-back and seems to be ready for the home-and-away season.
"We'd expect that come round one, he's going to really add to our depth and provide some tremendous experience," he said.
One casualty was developing ruckman Luke McEntee, who hurt his hamstring in the first quarter. "That was unfortunate (because) he's had a good training block, so it might set him back a week or two. We'll just have to wait and see what the medicos say," Clarkson said.
In contradiction to several other coaches, most notably Geelong's Mark Thompson, Clarkson voiced his support for the new interchange rule to be trialled in this year's NAB Cup, saying the pre-season competition was the right forum.
"The NAB Cup series is all about trialling different rule changes and seeing whether they've got any merit in terms of making our game a better spectacle and making it a better game to participate in," he said.
But Clarkson was less forthcoming on how he felt the change would affect the game. "It's too difficult to predict," he said.

[noosa hawk mad]

Willo adds menace for Hawks

| February 15, 2008 01:02pm



SMALL forward Mark Williams is ready to return to footy adding another facet to Hawthorn's exciting forward line in Sunday's pre-season game against Sydney in Launceston. Williams did not play after round four in 2007 because of a knee injury, but coach Alastair Clarkson said the club's leading goal kicker of 2005-06 had enjoyed a strong summer campaign and was ready to create a match-up headache for opposition.
Clarkson was unsure exactly how Williams would play alongside Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Tim Boyle - who all emerged as marking targets last season - but indicated it was a good problem to have.
"All we do know is that he's a very talented player in the forward half of the ground, and I'm sure we'll find a role for him somewhere up there," Clarkson said.
"He adds a bit of a different dimension too, with his speed and agility he's very hard to match up on.
"If you play a guy who's tall on him he's probably too quick for them, if you play a guy with equal pace he's probably too strong in the air.
"So he's a very, very handy player for us and it just means that we've got the flexibility to play some of those guys in other positions as well."
Williams' return gives Hawthorn the look of a dangerous side in attack, which is something Clarkson is keen to establish.
"From my experience watching grand final sides over recent times, the more you can spread your workload across the forward line, the better," he said.
"We probably had too much of an emphasis on Mark the previous two years and maybe a little bit too much of an emphasis on Buddy (Franklin, who booted 73 goals) last year.
"But Roughead still kicked 40 goals and Dicko (the retired Ben Dixon) and Hodgey (Luke Hodge) kicked goals, so there was a pretty good spread last year.
"But we need to make sure the workload's spread even more this year."
The Hawks will play most of their regulars against Sydney and midfielder Tim Clarke will also return after missing most of last season because of an Achilles injury.
But best and fairest runner-up Campbell Brown, key defender Trent Croad and recruit Stuart Dew will be rested so Clarkson can assess some of his younger players.
Meanwhile, Clarkson said it was important the recruiting ground of Ireland be preserved amid speculation AFL clubs will soon use the country as a rich source of potential stars.
"We don't want to ridicule that too much and rape and pillage all the players out of Ireland, so we'll just wait and see what happens," Clarkson said.

[noosa hawk mad]

Hawks hunt new paths to goal

12:16 PM Fri 15 February, 2008 | Back (http://javascript<b></b>:history.go(-1);)
By Catherine Murphy
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network



News


A FIT Mark Williams will add an extra prong to Hawthorn’s attack this year, but coach Alastair Clarkson says the side’s days of relying on one or two key forwards are numbered.
Geelong swept to last year’s premiership with an explosive midfield and a raft of key goalkickers, and Clarkson suggested the Hawks would begin their NAB Cup campaign against the Swans on Sunday following the Cats’ lead.
“The way we want the forward line to evolve is that the workload is shared between five or six guys,” Clarkson said.
“We probably had too much of an emphasis on Mark [Williams] in the previous two years and maybe a little bit too much of an emphasis on Buddy last year."
Williams, 24, missed all but three games of last season after injuring his knee, and Clarkson said he’d be a welcome inclusion in Launceston.
“He’s a very talented player in the forward half of the ground and I’m sure we’ll find a role for him somewhere.
“He adds a bit of a different dimension too. His speed and agility are very hard to match up on. If you play a guy who’s tall on him, he’s probably going to be too quick for him and if you play a guy who’s small with equal pace then he’s probably too strong in the air. He’s a very, very handy player for us. It just means that we’ve got the flexibility to play some of our other guys in different positions as well.”
Tagger Tim Clarke will also return from injury this weekend and Clarkson is just hopeful the pair play out the game unscathed.
“Just as long as they get through it,” he said.
“They’ve both done really good blocks of training. Both of them could have also played towards the end of last year. They’ve had really strong pre-seasons so we’re just looking forward to them getting back and playing their role and making a contribution to the side.”
Trent Croad and Campbell Brown will remain on the sidelines for two more weeks, Clarkson said, although neither are injured, with the Hawks’ list currently one of the healthiest in the competition.
“If we had to pick our side for round one this week, we’d probably have 40 of our group or 44 available, so our conditioning staff Andrew Russell, Peter Burge and Alex Clarke have done a great job preparing the players,” Clarkson said.
“They’re ready to go, but the beauty of the NAB Cup is it gives you an opportunity to play a lot of younger guys and give them experience and exposure to the rigours of the game.”

[SAINTS 4 07 FLAG]

Hope he gets back on the field. Aweosome player, will he play most 2008 game ? im thinking roughhead will be down back he is comes back. Buddy,Willo and Boyle is a potentially deadly forward line if they get going. Almost better than st kilda's.:D

[NGHAWK]

Hope he gets back on the field. Aweosome player, will he play most 2008 game ? im thinking roughhead will be down back he is comes back. Buddy,Willo and Boyle is a potentially deadly forward line if they get going. Almost better than st kilda's.:D



Pffffffffftttttttttt!!!!:rolleyes:

[Arrian Stubbs]

Almost... come on guys Buddy, Roughead, Boyle, Williams, Cyril and Osborne is lethal... Perfect blend between Brute and Speed... Hawthorn is the new St Kilda after watching their pathetic (don't get me wrong I consider them top 8) match against the Bulldogs!!! Carn the Hawks and their uber forward line!

[Arrian Stubbs]

MARK WILLIAMS' RETURN FROM INJURY - ROUND 4: HAWTHORN (H) vs ADELAIDE (A):

GAME NOTES:
I feel he played a consistent game back, cementing his spot as a 'gun' forward. I believe Clarkson minimised his game time due to his injuries and lack of match fitness as he didn't seem to get much of the ball. However when he did get the ball he used it efficiently ala quality not quantity. Williams booted 3.2 and he should of had 4.1 seeing as though he missed his first kick for goal with first match back jitters. All in all I'm glad to see my favourite hawks player is back!!! Pull out the shotty and blast away!!!
(eek I love buddy so much I can't believe I'm saying this). Anyways enough of my hawk jargon... here are his round 4 possessions!

STATISTICS:
Kicks: 9
Handballs: 1
Possession: 10
Marks: 7
Goals: 3
Behinds: 2
Tackles: 1
Hit-outs: 0
Frees For: 0
Frees Against: 2

[Arrian Stubbs]

MARK WILLIAMS - ROUND 5: HAWTHORN (A) vs BRISBANE (H):

GAME NOTES:
I still believe we havn't seen his best but he is a gun and he is showing week in and week out he has recovered from that knee injury which is a huge positive. Looking forward to hin kicking 4 goals in a week, but I have no doubt he is going to erupt soon or later, as will Roughead and Hodge respectively!

STATISTICS:
Kicks: 9
Handballs: 2
Possession: 11
Marks: 8
Goals: 2
Behinds: 2
Tackles: 2
Hit-outs: 0
Frees For: 0
Frees Against : 0

[noosa hawk mad]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/05/17/1210765262934.htmlGesture has Hawks choking

Lyall Johnson, Launceston | May 18, 2008

ERRATIC Hawthorn forward Mark Williams was told by his coach Alastair Clarkson last night that antics such as the hanging gesture he made to the Port Adelaide coach's box yesterday were "the quickest way to find the exit door at our footy club".
Williams last night telephoned his namesake and Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams to apologise for his behaviour in the final minutes of yesterday's match.
Williams, the player, had only 10 possessions in the Hawks' gutsy 15-point win over Port, but after kicking the sealing goal, grabbed his throat and made the hanging gesture, seemingly both in imitation of "Choco" Williams' gesture after Port's 2004 premiership win and to show what he thought of the Power yesterday blowing a 38-point lead.
Clarkson ordered Williams to ring the Port coach and apologise. A Hawthorn official said last night Williams made the call before leaving Aurora Stadium.
A Port Adelaide spokeswoman said she did not believe Williams had taken the call because his phone was switched off. But in his post-match press conference, Williams discouraged the Hawk from calling him.
"I don't need his call," coach Williams said. "Couldn't care less. Footballers do strange things. Doesn't help us win the game, lose the game. Yeah, I saw (the gesture). He hadn't touched the ball all day, so not sure exactly what he was getting at."
Clarkson began his post-match news conference with an apology to Port Adelaide and its coach.
"Before we start on the game, can I make an apology to the Port Adelaide footy club for the gesture that our Mark Williams made at the end of the game. (It) is not in line with the way that we like to go about our footy," Clarkson said.
"He knows that, our players know that, and we would like to be humble and gracious in victory and certainly not put on performances like that. It's the quickest way to find the exit door at our footy club.
"So could I make an apology to Mark Williams of Port Adelaide and the Port Adelaide footy club because we don't accept that sort of behaviour at our club.
"I will be expecting that our Mark Williams gives Mark Williams from the Port side a call throughout the course of this week, if he'll accept the call. Because if I was Choco Williams from Port Adelaide, I don't even know if I'd want a call. We look at it pretty dimly, that sort of behaviour."
Clarkson said no other action would be taken against Williams, who during his career has been known for inappropriate gestures after kicking goals.
Williams, the Port coach, was furious with the way his side played to cough up a 38-point lead — particularly the way his midfield had been smashed.
While Hawthorn's win was its eight consecutive victory, it leaves the Power in a precarious position with three victories and five losses.
"We're one of those teams that are going to battle like hell to see if we're a chance," Williams said. "We've got a pretty tough draw coming up, so we'll have to see what we can do as far as winning against some of the more fancied clubs."
Ben McGlynn was reported in the second quarter for high front-on contact with Kane Cornes, with the Port midfielder receiving a cut to his head requiring stitches.
Shaun and Peter Burgoyne are likely to come under the scrutiny of the match review panel, Shaun for his bump on Sam Mitchell that resulted in Mitchell being carried from the ground and Peter for crashing into McGlynn in the third quarter.
Brent Guerra appeared to be the main casualty for the day, injuring a hamstring that he will have scanned

[RustyHawk]

Hawk faces two match ban

4:14 PM Mon 30 June, 2008


HAWTHORN’S Brent Renouf has been offered a two-game sanction with an early plea after being charged with a Level Four striking offence against Adam Selwood.

The Match Review Panel assessed the incident as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points), totalling seven activation points, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match ban. As he has no existing good or bad record he can make an early plea, reducing the demerit points to 243.75 and a two-match ban.

In other Match Review Panel decisions, Darren Glass, Adam Hunter, Trent Croad, Mark Williams and Lance Franklin have all been charged with engaging in a melee and can all accept $1200 fines with early pleas.

Carlton’s Brendan Fevola has been charged with a third offence for wrestling with Kelvin Moore of Richmond. He can accept a $3000 fine with an early plea.

[Sultan Of Spin]

How good of a game did this great man play on the weekend? he has been my favourite player since his debut, and was shattered when was injured last year. he provides a great option and can be just as damaging as the other two key forwards, as we saw against the Swans. come finals time, with his deadly accurate foot skills, he could prove to be the difference in kicking a winning score.

We Love WIllo!

[RustyHawk]

Eight Hawks re-sign for two more

August 14, 2008 HAWTHORN have signed new deals with eight players, which will keep them at the AFL club for the next two years.

The eight players are Jarryd Roughead, Chance Bateman, Jordan Lewis, Robert Campbell, Mark Williams, Mitch Thorp, Brent Renouf and Jarryd Morton.

Hawks football manager Mark Evans said this week's re-signings were a great boost for the club's future.

"It's a strong message to have eight players who are such a big part of our future quest for premiership success all coming out in the one week and agreeing to terms, it's a great message of solidarity," Evans told the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show.

The Hawks are currently second on the ladder.





AAP

[noosa hawk mad]

Anxious wait for Sam Mitchell and Mark Williams



HAWTHORN will sweat the outcome of two incidents involving Sam Mitchell and Mark Williams in their 71-point demolition of West Coast last night.

Both Williams and Mitchell caught opponents high with reckless, albeit light knocks that could incur a penalty.
Hawthorn is walking a fine-line with some of its biggest-name players taking carry-over points into this finals series.
Coach Alistair Clarkson acknowledged the situation was not ideal, but said he would not instruct his troops to alter their attack on the footy.
"I think it will be a worry for anyone, that's not ideal that situation where we've got guys with carry-over points but we play in a very volatile and aggressive sport," he said.
"And we ask our players to play tough, hard footy and sometimes that drags them a little bit close to the line, so they are vulnerable to reports and suspensions.




"But over the course of the last 10 to 12 weeks our players have been pretty good."
While Clarkson could have concerns at the tribunal, he does not have any worries about his forward line.
If Lance Franklin is the ace up Hawthorn's sleeve this September then Campbell Brown has surely become Clarkson's wildcard.
The raging bull of the Hawks' backline continued his impressive transition up forward nailing four goals in their 71-point win.
All the attention was on superstar forward Lance Franklin as he fell two goals short of his 100th for the season, booting a wayward 4.5.
But for effectiveness, there was no going past Brown, whose tackling pressure and scoreboard impact was more influential than his nine possessions suggests yesterday.
Clarkson said the more he sees of Brown up forward, the more he likes the unpredictable edge the utility gives Hawthorn in attack.
"We've looked at a lot of other sides, not just teams we play in the present era, but previous sides that were very successful in September who have had a number of players that were able to float from forward to back," Clarkson said.
"He is such an aggressive competitor and he has such great leg-speed and they are usually the traits you like in your back half and that's why we've played him there for the bulk of the past two or three seasons.
"But we didn't want him pigeon-holed as a defender for the rest of his career because we think he's got some key attributes that can help us from time to time.
"It is ironic that the guy who had the least amount of possessions on the oval probably had the greatest influence on the contest and in my view that was Campbell Brown."
Clarkson insisted his troops were not distracted by the focus on Franklin as Hawthorn instead shared the load with nine individual goalkickers.
Franklin will try to reach the 100 goal milestone against Carlton on Sunday.

[RustyHawk]

Match review panel: round 21

4:16 PM Mon 25 August, 2008

Other Incidents Assessed:

Contact between Hawthorn's Brent Renouf and West Coast's Quinten Lynch from the first quarter of Sunday's match was assessed. Renouf went to push off Lynch in a contest. At the same time, Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell dragged Lynch to the ground. Mitchell's action contributed to the high contact on Lynch. No further action was required.

Contact between Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell and West Coast's Ashley Hansen from the second quarter of Sunday's match was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Mitchell's action was not a strike. Contact was made with an open hand in a grabbing / tackling motion. No further action was required.
__________________

Not even assessed

[noosa hawk mad]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/spo...-19742,00.html (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24229298-19742,00.html)Williams making his mark

Glenn McFarlane | August 24, 2008 12:00am





IF YOU had asked Hawthorn forward Mark Williams a few years ago where his home was, the answer would have been straightforward and pointed.

Williams would have acknowledged that while he lived in Melbourne and enjoyed playing football for Hawthorn, his home was 3327km away, the town of Katanning in WA's Great Southern region.
The small forward, who led the club's goalkicking in 2005 and '06 before suffering a knee injury early last season, predominantly thought of Melbourne as a means to an end, as the place to ply his trade.
So much so he once packed his car and pondered a move back across the Nullarbor to be with his family. Thankfully, his foot never made it to the accelerator.
Ask Williams, now 25, a similar question these days and you will get a very different response. He cites Williamstown as his home, Hawthorn as his passion and Melbourne as the city he may remain in forever.




So what's changed for him to so recently embrace the city he has lived in for eight years, since being drafted in 2000? For a start, he admits he has matured significantly in recent years - for a variety of reasons. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
He has been more prepared to embrace the broom that coach Alastair Clarkson swept through the Hawthorn Football Club - in which the team is infinitely more important than the worth of its individuals. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Perhaps it took Williams a little longer than others to adapt, given his flamboyant on-field persona, but he gets it now. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
But just as important has been marrying Belinda and having a young family. A hint to this comes from the names inked on his forearms - daughter Mia, 2 1/2, and son Kobe, eight months. He wants to be the best dad he can. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I am a very different person these days," Williams says. "I like to keep things low key now that I have a family. My two little ones keep me occupied. It's (fatherhood) the best thing that's happened to me." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
He feels the same about Hawthorn, which now has its share of fathers in Shane Crawford, Trent Croad and Luke Hodge. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"It has been a long road for me and I have changed a lot over the years," Williams said. "I don't know if I necessarily wanted to be here in the early days. But I'm so glad I decided to stick it out and stay." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
If there needed to be any concrete proof of his commitment to stay in Melbourne, two contracts he signed in recent weeks have put an end to that. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
The first was to pen a new two-year deal with the Hawks, binding him until the end of the 2010 season and, he hopes, for much longer. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
The second was the purchase of a home in Williamstown, which he intends to demolish in order to rebuild a bigger one to cater for the four children he dreams of having with Belinda. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
There is an irony in the fact that Williams says he wants to keep a low profile these days. For while he hates the publicity that goes with an AFL career, his actions on the field can often make him a focus. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
His penchant for colourful post-goal celebrations have caused him some controversy, especially with Clarkson. During his two years as Hawthorn's leading goalkicker when he booted 63 and 60 goals in successive seasons, he perfected the "rifleman" salute . . . until the coach banned it. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Then, in the dying seconds of Hawthorn's come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide in Round 8 this year, Williams inadvertently thrust himself into the spotlight again. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
H E kicked a goal to seal the game, then gave a choking gesture in reference to Port Adelaide, who had led by 38 points before being overrun. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
He swears it was not intended to offend, and claims it was not aimed specifically at his Port Adelaide namesake who used a similar gesture after winning the 2004 Grand Final. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I suppose it was a gesture that probably wasn't the right thing to do," Williams said. "It wasn't something I intended to do. It just happened. I probably should have kept it to myself." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
After the match Clarkson opened up his press conference with an apology to the Port Adelaide coach and suggested Williams's antics were "the quickest way to find the exit door at our club". (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Feeling sheepish, Williams left an apology on the Port coach's mobile phone that night. He has not spoken to him since, but he expressed his remorse later to a few Power players. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
The thing few people outside Hawthorn Football Club realised was that Williams was going through a tumultuous time. His father-in-law, Greg Hay, was dying of cancer. Within 24 hours of the game, Hay had passed away, and the club was understanding enough to give Williams time off to mourn. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"The fact that my father-in-law died on the same weekend put everything else into perspective," he said. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"He was a great person, was extremely loyal and was the best father-in-law anyone could imagine. So it was a very difficult time for us." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
It was fitting and a little poignant that, a week later, Williams kissed his arm and pointed to the heavens after kicking a goal against Melbourne. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Since then, his celebrations have been more understated, something he has done for his teammates. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
By his own admission, the Mark Williams of 2008 is more team oriented than the earlier model. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I just like to stay low key and let the other boys take the attention," he said. "That's why I don't really like to do interviews." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
This is Williams's first extensive interview in years, but he acknowledges he has to do media on rare occasions, if only to take the pressure off his teammates who have done their share in 2008. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
While he was the club's No. 1 forward and focus in 2005-06, he is revelling in playing a different role in a star-studded attack alongside Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli and others. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
He is happy to be out there after missing all but four games last year due to a knee injury, not to mention what would have been his first finals series. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
In that time, Franklin elevated himself into the stratosphere. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
WILLIAMS has played as the third forward this season behind Franklin (94 goals) and Roughead (59), kicking 32.22. Importantly, he has had as many tackles as he has kicked goals, with 33 being the most he has laid in any season. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"Back then, I was the focal point of the forward line, but we have several options up there now," he said. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I don't mind getting the third or fourth best defender. I used to get the No. 1 defender. I'm just happy to play my role in the team now." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Williams disagrees that the Hawks are too Buddy-conscious, which Richmond coach Terry Wallace claimed after the Tigers' upset win last Sunday. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I don't think we are too Buddy-dimensional, it's just that he is so big . . . he leads to the right spot and demands it. We work really well together. We are all working on our defensive skills as well, to put the pressure on the backmen," he said. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Williams is desperate to retain his place in the team in the run to September, and hopes it could bring about the ultimate success one day. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"The club is in an exciting position," he said. "Our time will hopefully come this year or in the next couple of years . . . we hope we can win that 10th premiership the club really wants." (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Williams's other family will be out in force when the Hawks take on West Coast today. He hasn't played a home and away game in Perth in two years. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
So this week he has been chasing tickets for family members making the trip from Katanning. His father won't be among them, as his religion precludes him going to sport on Sundays, something Williams respects and admires. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
"I think this time it's something like 15 tickets," he said. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
That will be a cinch, given his record of 60 tickets for a pre-season game a few years ago. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)
Home might well be Melbourne now, but Williams's passion for his WA family will never wane. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/1,9191,24229226-19742,00.html)

[RustyHawk]

Preliminary Final 2008

"Willo" booted five (5) valuable goals in a match winning performance against the Saints at the M.C.G. Saturday 20.09.08.

Williams will play in his first Grand Final next week at the 'G' against Geelong.

[noosa hawk mad]

Grand Final week Press Conference: Williams, Bateman (http://bigpondvideo.com/HawthornTV/78630)

http://bigpondvideo.com/HawthornTV/78630 :thumbsu:

[noosa hawk mad]

http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/williams-not-worried-57195Anxious wait for Hawks forward





Hawthorn goalsneak Mark Williams - the hero of his side's emphatic preliminary final victory over St Kilda - faces a nervous wait to see if he will be cleared to play in Saturday's AFL grand final against Geelong by the match review panel.


Williams, who booted five goals in the Hawks' nine-goal win over the Saints on Saturday night, is expected to come under scrutiny for a last quarter clash involving St Kilda's veteran defender Max Hudghton.


The Hawks' best small forward gave away a free kick when he caught Hudghton high after attempting to bump him while the veteran full-back was bent over the ball.



Luckily for Williams, he appeared to catch Hudghton more around the shoulder area than the head but he now faces an agonising wait to see if he is booked for rough conduct - which could possibly rule him out of the



Hawks' first premiership decider in 17 years.
However, Williams was playing it cool on Sunday when asked about the incident.
"
I haven't seen the footage so I am not too sure but whatever happens, happens," Williams said.
The loss of Williams, who has kicked 43 goals this season after topping the



Hawks' goalkicking in 2005 and 2006, would be a huge blow for Alastair Clarkson's team and Williams admitted he did not remember much of the incident with Hudghton.


"I remember him (Hudghton) getting a free kick and that is all I remember and that is all I can take from it until I see the footage," he said.
"The umpire just said it (his contact) was high and he gave Maxy the free-kick."


No report was laid at the time so Williams will learn his fate on Monday afternoon once the match review panel has viewed the incident with the panel then having the option to either lay a charge or to clear him.
Williams, who has lived in the shadow of the Hawks' century goalkicker



Lance Franklin and fellow key forward Jarryd Roughead this season, was at his best on Saturday night in kicking five goals when he returned to his former role of playing out of the goalsquare with Franklin and Roughead playing further up the field.


The 25-year-old, who has played 97 games since making his debut in 2002, said the Hawks' forwards don't mind who ends up kicking the goals so long as the team continues to win.


This time it was myself and Roughead that kicked the goals and Franklin

did his role pushing up the ground with Maxy (Hudghton) and that created space and gave the other forwards a chance to kick goals."


Williams said it was one of the Hawks' main strengths that Franklin, Roughead and himself could all play as leading forwards coming out of the goalsquare or pushing up the ground, which means the Hawks can constantly keep opposition defences guessing as to their set-up on game day.


"It's good to have that variety down there and if someone doesn't get a kick one week, someone else will bob up and it's good that everyone is able to play their part."
But the biggest question Williams had to face on Sunday - when he was one of a number of Hawks to face the media - was whether he would bring out his trademark 'shotgun' celebration back out should he kick a goal with his team in a

[RustyHawk]

Williams free for GF

22/09/2008 2:36 PM
Bren O'Brien
Sportal

Livewire Hawthorn forward Mark Williams is free to play in Saturday's AFL Grand Final against Geelong after escaping punishment from the match review panel for his hit on Max Hudghton.

Williams had a nervous Sunday waiting for his bump on Hudghton in the last quarter of Saturday's preliminary final to be assessed, but the MRP decided the contact was to the back of the St Kilda defender, not to his head.

"It was the view of the panel that contact was to Hudghton's back and not to the head / neck region. The umpire in control of the play paid an immediate free kick, which was seen as the appropriate penalty. No further action was taken," the MRP ruled.

The news was welcomed by Williams' team-mate Trent Croad.

"It's fantastic," Croad said.

"Mark played really well on the weekend. He really stepped up."

"The best thing about our forwards is they are all combining and each one of them is playing their own part."

"At any individual time they can step up and that's been a strong point for us this year."

"Having Mark available will be great for us."

[RustyHawk]

2008 Brownlow voting: Mark Williams received 3 votes from the umpires.