24. John Williams

[Ryder Is God]

Williams, taken with Essendon’s first selection (pick five), is a 188cm, 19-year-old, recruited from Morningside who is renowned for his impressive athleticism.

“John is very good above the head, he kicks the ball a long way and is very good with the timings of the game,” Dodoro said.

“He is someone that really impressed us and a few clubs rated him pretty highly in the National Draft.

“A few clubs went off him a bit because of a shoulder complaint he was having but we feel he is a long-term prospect and therefore we will give him the time to develop.”

Don't know much about him, but let's hope he can develop into a gun.

[Merv Neagle]

http://www.gspimages.com.au/images/thumbs/main/18487.jpg

[dapto]

Brother of Tom Williams...given the geographic location our two clubs he may shack up with his older brother.

Seems natural enough but I was wondering if the respective clubs have a view on this type of thing?

[Warwick]

I wonder why the two brothers went to different schools?

Tom went to Gregory Terrace and John apparently went to Grammar.

[Anthony_]

Seems natural enough but I was wondering if the respective clubs have a view on this type of thing?

Don't think they would care, Luke Power when he was down in Melbourne would be in the Dogs rooms during games to watch his brother play.

[Longy413]

Seems natural enough but I was wondering if the respective clubs have a view on this type of thing?

Gumby and Paul Bowyer live together.

You'd imagine Tom could only be a good influence on his brother.
Seems an interesting type.

[Longy413]

I wonder why the two brothers went to different schools?

Tom went to Gregory Terrace and John apparently went to Grammar.

I went to a different school than my brother.
Different mates at Primary School.

[Gus2Gumby]

I'm intrigued about J-Will...

Good luck to him... Hope he can be a good player for us... :)

[efcboy]

anybody know if he's had any shoulder operations and if so how many etc?

[SM10]

Sounds like Judd MkII :p

[Longy413]

Just to clear up the confusion, he isn't the brother of the Western Bulldogs player.

[Anthony_]

Just to clear up the confusion, he isn't the brother of the Western Bulldogs player.

Hmm how did this all start then if he isn't?

[Longy413]

The AFL website said he was, from the same club I think.

[Merv Neagle]

(http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/07/Williams.jpg)http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news_imagesize.asp?imagefile=/images/07/Williams.jpg (http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/07/Williams.jpg)
Williams is eager to begin training at Windy Hill.
Williams eager to join new team-mates

Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Nothing could have prepared John Williams for the good news he received yesterday informing him that Essendon had selected him in the pre-season draft. Having undergone a shoulder reconstruction only two weeks earlier, being drafted to an AFL club seemed highly unlikely for Williams. However, a phone call from List Manager, Adrian Dodoro, confirmed that Williams had secured a place on Essendon’s senior list.
"I was really surprised," Williams said.
"I definitely didn’t expect anything so when I got a call from the club saying that I was heading to Essendon, I was just over the moon.
"If anything, I thought I would have been picked up on a rookie list because I had this thought in my mind that the pre-season draft was more for recycled players and the very best of the young kids.
"It was definitely a surprise to be added to the senior list and it makes me want to work that much harder to really make the most out of the experience."
The excitement surrounding the drafting of Williams only grew upon receiving a phone call from Essendon Premiership player Dustin Fletcher.
"It was a really big surprise actually," Williams said.
"I was just at a friend’s place and this number came up that I didn’t recognise and answered it to find out it was Dustin Fletcher.
"I was taken back for a few seconds and had to gather my thoughts for a little bit but it was great.
"It is a good feeling because I don’t really know anyone down there to then get a call from a senior player makes you feel really welcome."
Eager to make the move interstate, Williams is enthusiastic about taking the step up to AFL level.
"I am really looking forward to the professionalism of AFL football and just being in the best possible hands when it comes to preparation and rehab," Williams said.
"I have been keeping track of what is going on via the Essendon website but I am really looking forward to getting into it.
"I’m also really looking forward to meeting all of the guys down there and getting stuck into training."
Although hesitant to put a timeframe on just when he might take to the main stage, Williams is confident that hard work and dedication to his football will pay off in the long-term.
"I don’t think I can put a set date or round on it," Williams said.
"I just want to get my shoulder right and get into training and work as hard as I can.
"I guess I will just assess the situation then as to if and when I might be able to play the game at senior level but in the meantime I will just make the most of the experience."


http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5513

[Longy413]

I can only imagine what it would feel like to have a club legend call you and welcome you to the club.

Must be a pretty special moment.

He sounds like a good kid.

[jetta2davey]

i've got a good feeling about this kid, the fact that he can get drafted after one year of football and 2 shoulder reconstructions means that he is obviously something pretty special.

[Darealrath]

I'm intrigued about J-Will...



White chocolate ?

[DaSawx]

could nickname him the Maestro

[KING-JAMES]

White chocolate ?

Was going to say that myself. If he is as flashy as J-will in his early days we are gunna have a bloody exciting man on our hands.

[Gus2Gumby]

White chocolate ?
LOL...

Elbow handball anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67OB3VSPK_A

[TheDon35]

Any news on him?

[hulld]

he played on saturday and got in the best players which is a pretty good effort

[Schmick]

he played on saturday and got in the best players which is a pretty good effort
Anyone know what position he was playing on Saturday when he was named in the best?

[michael7]

Anyone know how he's going? haven't heard about him in a while, hopefully can be a useful player at least, was supposedly rated pretty highly but only slipped because of his shoulder!!

[tristo]

From VFL Site
http://www.sportingpulse.com/team_info.cgi?player=John%20Williams&action=PSTATS&pID=188651045&client=1-118-0-67835-8080953

Matches - 9 (Last 15th June)
Goals - 6
In Best Players - 1 (April 5)
Best on Ground - 1 (April 5)

[hulld]

liked what i saw on saturday. he made a few tricky things look really easy

[dirtywhitepacker]

Had hopes for this young lad. Judging by the start of his AFL journey, do people think he is going to make it?

[The Dustbin]

Is pretty raw and has alot of development to do. Doubt we will see him play seniors this year, despite our chronic injury list.

[ant555]

I have not seen the few better games he has played so it is hard to say. The four i have seen him play in have not left me overly excited with his output.

[dirtywhitepacker]

I have not seen the few better games he has played so it is hard to say. The four i have seen him play in have not left me overly excited with his output.

Yeah, that's sort of how I feel. The two games I've seen him play for Bendigo have not shown much...

[hulld]

there's something about him

[windyhill]

Go Willo.

[bipolarbeaR]

Good luck Willbur!

[eth-dog]

nice leap on 'im

[loopy_cam]

Looked good.

Very nice pickup and handball in the second and a nice leap.

Another to watch.

[hulld]

there's something about him

told ya

[bomberbilly]

told ya

he now knows what it will take to play in the big tim, needs a big preseason and i'd love to see more of him. He really goes for his marks and has no fear in the air. as previous posters have said, there is something about him.

[silk]

How long till him and ryder are fighting it out for a new toyota?

[David_Hilley#19]

Call him "Jumping John Williams"!!!!!!!!

[bipolarbeaR]

How long till him and ryder are fighting it out for a new toyota?
When Lloyd retires :D:thumbsu:

[hulld]

na, he should be dubbed the "x-factor"

[kelvin_sheedy]

Won't make it.

[JColeman]

Won't make it.

And the balloon goes pop!!

[lemon chicken]

Won't make it.

Correct!

People are impressed by how big a player can leap? What else did he do? He plays lunchtime schoolyard football.

[The Dustbin]

Shit kick.

[Jaymin]

Correct!

People are impressed by how big a player can leap? What else did he do? He plays lunchtime schoolyard football.

For a first game player who from all reports wasn't doing much in the 2s i was pleasantly surprise. Took a good strong mark and his decision making seemed to be pretty good. There was enough there to suggest he could be a decent player.

[Midnight Vultures]

Shit kick.

That's some nice constructive criticism, isn't it? Hope he proves you negative nancies wrong. He's played one games FFS.

[lemon chicken]

Hooker was by far better than Williams yet not one post in his thread. Amazing what excites some people.

[Longy413]

That's some nice constructive criticism, isn't it? Hope he proves you negative nancies wrong. He's played one games FFS.

Which is also why we shouldn't be pumping him up.

It was his first game, he took a good mark and jumped at the footy a couple of times.

That was it.

Nothing to be overly disappointed, nor excited about.

[The Dustbin]

That's some nice constructive criticism, isn't it? Hope he proves you negative nancies wrong. He's played one games FFS.

Was I basing my obersvation on one game? NO.

He's a shit kick, that's the truth. Never said he wasn't going to make it, nor he will never improve his kicking. ;)

I hope he does prove me wrong.

[bombers 4 life]

Williams showed some good skill and looked like he was havin a go!! unlike half our team. good for a first gamer. Hooker was also good prob better but i like the look of williams ;):thumbsu: Hooker was by far better than Williams yet not one post in his thread. Amazing what excites some people.

[Sean.]

nice leap on 'imSaw him take a massive hanger when Bendigo played Frankston. Landed on his head. I didn't know that he was an Essendon rookie, but I'm looking forward to watching him in the future.

[ari18]

apparantly he is a bit "socially ******"?
Or so some of the boys say

POSTED BY DANNY CHARTRES ON FACEBOOK on John Williams

1. Recieved hickys from an uknown gothic character from the infamous onebar.

2. Whilst emerging form the icy beach water in Williamstown he screeched in a pussy voice "Prrrrriiiiiccccckkkk!"

3. Whilst angry threw a piss weak punch to anothers chest and his best comeback was "Don't!" (Once again what a pussy, couldn't he think of anything better to say?)

4. The infamous Telstra Dome incident. John tripped up the stairs at Telsta Dome and landed on his face and couldn't break his fall because he had his hands in his pockets.

5. John always dances with his hands in his pockets and looks like a creep whilst doing it. Advice to John: "The chicks hate it!!!

6. Always wears the same seedy grey jumper day in day out. Thank god he left in the cloak room at starbar. Although he wanted to get it back we convinced that it was only a $10 jumper and he could get another one.

7. For ****S sake John clean your car. Its filthy and smells like dirty socks. On the subject of your car get another side mirror and this time dont tape it on because it will end up on the citylink like last time.

8. Slipping over in the changerooms at Frankston at half time. (John you do find it hard to keep your feet at the best of times. Actually there are too many instances to note where John slips over or falls over when its not necessary)

9. Wearing your shorts backwards against Sandringham. Gee you looked like a dick.

10. John always gives the seedy wink. Its that sleasy the girls love it!

11. John also loves the fake yawn. Its one of his go-to moves when he feels uncomfortable.

12. John makes good use of the english dictionary, making use of words that only existed in the 1600's. Words like "famished" are commonplace for John but they should not be used in society today...ever.

[dirtywhitepacker]

That list is hillarious. Sounds like a funny bastard. What are you talking about? :thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:

[AndyLesPaul]

He beat some guy in a marking contest. but in intriuging fashion.

[Sean.]

4. The infamous Telstra Dome incident. John tripped up the stairs at Telsta Dome and landed on his face and couldn't break his fall because he had his hands in his pockets.
Ha ha I've nearly done that before(But not on stairs). I've tripped but somehow I've been able to keep myself from running even with my hands in my pockets. Although I did have to end up running 20 metres to stop myself.


8. Slipping over in the changerooms at Frankston at half time. (John you do find it hard to keep your feet at the best of times. Actually there are too many instances to note where John slips over or falls over when its not necessary)
Damn, I was at that game. I wish I'd seen that. Would've been a classic. :thumbsu:

[Pawtucket Patriot]

Sounds like a champion bloke.

[bipolarbeaR]

I actually think he sounds very amusing!