MARK Williams has been recognised for his significant contribution to the game, inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
The much-loved Williams was one of seven additions to the prestigious list on Tuesday night, with the honour reflective of his enormous impact as a player in both South Australia and Victoria.
Representing four clubs across the SANFL and V/AFL, Williams tallied 377 games in a playing career that spanned close to two decades.
It all began as a 17-year-old at West Adelaide in 1976, where he played 65 games and kicked 37 goals under his father Fos, before transferring to Port Adelaide for the 1979 and 1980 seasons and securing back-to-back premierships.
The following year saw him join Collingwood, with immediate impact. In the first of his six seasons, Williams helped the club reach a Grand Final, representing Victoria, and won the first of two best and fairest awards. He also had the honour of captaining the club from 1983 to 1986.
A stint at the Brisbane Bears from 1987 to 1990 added a further 66 games to his name, before he returned to South Australia to represent Port Adelaide once again.
Williams called time on his playing career at the end of the 1992 season and quickly shifted his attention to coaching. Experiences with Glenelg, Essendon and Port Adelaide led to a senior coaching position at the latter, where he took the club to its first AFL premiership in 2004.
After 12 seasons at the helm, Williams departed to take on new challenges at GWS Giants (2011-2012) and Richmond (2013-2016). It was ahead of the 2020 season that he became a Demon and called the Melbourne Football Club his home.
Melbourne CEO Gary Pert congratulated Williams on the remarkable achievement.
“This recognition is a testament to Mark’s unwavering dedication, tireless pursuit to improve, and his profound impact on the game,” Pert said.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Mark part of the Melbourne Football Club. His contribution to developing our players is immeasurable, and his passion, loyalty and dedication serve as an inspiration to all.
“Being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honour and we couldn’t be prouder, or happier, for Mark and his family.”
Williams joins his father Fos in being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Williams family, who have been involved in 22 premierships at Port Adelaide since the 1950s, are now one of only three families to have two members recognised.
Williams has previously been honoured with Life Membership at the AFL, SANFL, Port Adelaide and Collingwood.
Mark Williams’ Contribution to Australian Football
- 377 senior state league games for 377 goals, comprising West Adelaide (1976-78, 65 games, 37 goals), Port Adelaide (1979-80 and 1990-92, 111 games, 104 goals), Collingwood (1981-86, 135 games, 178 goals) and Brisbane Lions (1987-90, 66 games, 58 goals). Also, six games for Windsor-Zillmere (1988)
- Eight games for South Australia, one game for Victoria, one game for Queensland.
- Premierships in 1979, 1980, 1990, 1992 (all with Port Adelaide). Also, 1988 QAFL premiership
- Collingwood Best and Fairest 1981, 1985
- All Australian 1980 (carnival) and 2004 (AFL premiership coach)
- Collingwood Leading Goalkicker 1984
- Collingwood Captain 1983-86
- Coached Glenelg (SANFL) 1993-94, 45 games for 22 wins, one draw, 22 losses
- Coached Port Adelaide (AFL) 1999-2010, 256 games for 142 wins, two draws, 112 losses.
- 2004 premiership/AFLCA Coach of the Year
- 2001 and 2001 pre-season premierships
- Senior assistant roles at Essendon (1995-96), Port Adelaide (1997-98), GWS Giants (2011-2012), Richmond (2013-16) and Melbourne (2020 – current).
- Also coached AFL Dream Team 2008, Ajax (VAFA) 2017-18 and Werribee (VFL) 2019-2020
- AFLCA Lifetime Achievement Award
- Life Member at the AFL, SANFL, Port Adelaide FC, Collingwood FC
