OUT AND OUT SMOKIES in the draft are becoming fewer every year.Perhaps left field selections are more apt. In the case of new Demon rookie Leigh Williams, he fits this latter category.
Although he was well known in Melbourne’s Eastern Football League - Williams topped the division one goalkicking - he was a left field selection, having taken an alternative route to the AFL.
“It was pretty overwhelming. I wasn’t really expecting anything out of what I did last year, playing EFL (Eastern Football League) local footy,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“[The training has already been] a massive step-up from what I’d been doing.
“Just the structure and the professionalism was a big highlight for me, and seeing where I thought I was at fitness wise. Seeing what I had to do to make the next step - that was good.”
Williams said his 88 goals for Norwood was his finest football season.
“[I had] a breakout year, in terms of kicking goals and playing good footy,” he said.
“The team itself probably didn’t do too good, so it was a bit of a letdown, but it was a good stepping stone.”
Despite his outstanding year, the 21 year-old didn't think he'd be drafted, until the door opened with an invitation to train with Melbourne.
“When I started training, I thought I might be able to sneak a spot in,” he said.
“I thought I had to show my stuff and see what I could do, and then something might come out of it.”
Still, when national recruiting manager Barry Prendergast’s right-hand man Gary Burleigh spoke to Williams, it was only then that he thought he could be a chance.
“When I got a call from Gary [Burleigh] after the season, he told me they were keeping an eye on me,” he said.
“Then I realised that I might have caught a few more people’s eyes than I thought.”
Had the key forward not been drafted by Melbourne, Williams was set to pursue a career in the VFL or SANFL.
“I got cut before I was even at the TAC Cup [with Eastern Ranges], so I didn’t end up playing TAC Cup footy,” he said.
“I ended up going back to Norwood and playing seniors as a 17 year-old, so at that stage, I wasn’t viewing anything too far. I just wanted to cement my spot weekly at Norwood.
“Last year I talked to a few SANFL and VFL clubs, but nothing really that was like playing ones at VFL or SANFL. So I wasn’t really keen on making that next step.
“Instead, I thought if I had one more good year at Norwood, I might be able to get a few more offers in the VFL. Then I thought I’d have a big crack.
“Obviously, I’ve skipped the VFL and SANFL stuff, so I’m straight into it and now I’m out with the big boys.”
Although he was well known in Melbourne’s Eastern Football League - Williams topped the division one goalkicking - he was a left field selection, having taken an alternative route to the AFL.
“It was pretty overwhelming. I wasn’t really expecting anything out of what I did last year, playing EFL (Eastern Football League) local footy,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“[The training has already been] a massive step-up from what I’d been doing.
“Just the structure and the professionalism was a big highlight for me, and seeing where I thought I was at fitness wise. Seeing what I had to do to make the next step - that was good.”
Williams said his 88 goals for Norwood was his finest football season.
“[I had] a breakout year, in terms of kicking goals and playing good footy,” he said.
“The team itself probably didn’t do too good, so it was a bit of a letdown, but it was a good stepping stone.”
Despite his outstanding year, the 21 year-old didn't think he'd be drafted, until the door opened with an invitation to train with Melbourne.
“When I started training, I thought I might be able to sneak a spot in,” he said.
“I thought I had to show my stuff and see what I could do, and then something might come out of it.”
Still, when national recruiting manager Barry Prendergast’s right-hand man Gary Burleigh spoke to Williams, it was only then that he thought he could be a chance.
“When I got a call from Gary [Burleigh] after the season, he told me they were keeping an eye on me,” he said.
“Then I realised that I might have caught a few more people’s eyes than I thought.”
Had the key forward not been drafted by Melbourne, Williams was set to pursue a career in the VFL or SANFL.
“I got cut before I was even at the TAC Cup [with Eastern Ranges], so I didn’t end up playing TAC Cup footy,” he said.
“I ended up going back to Norwood and playing seniors as a 17 year-old, so at that stage, I wasn’t viewing anything too far. I just wanted to cement my spot weekly at Norwood.
“Last year I talked to a few SANFL and VFL clubs, but nothing really that was like playing ones at VFL or SANFL. So I wasn’t really keen on making that next step.
“Instead, I thought if I had one more good year at Norwood, I might be able to get a few more offers in the VFL. Then I thought I’d have a big crack.
“Obviously, I’ve skipped the VFL and SANFL stuff, so I’m straight into it and now I’m out with the big boys.”
