Mark L. Williams
Encyclopedia
Mark Williams is a former indigenous Australian rules football
er who played with Hawthorn
and Essendon
in the Australian Football League
(AFL). He was traded from the Hawks to the Bombers during the 2009 AFL trade week.
Making his debut in 2002 after being drafted by the Hawks at pick 43 in the 2000 AFL Draft
, Williams was a small forward and came of age in 2005 when he was used as a full forward where he kicked 63 goals, making him the leading goal kicker of the club. Known for his flamboyance, pace and use of the "shotgun", a trademark celebration he used to use after kicking a goal, Williams was one of a number of young players at Hawthorn.
Williams finished 2006 with a total of 60 goals and once again was the leading goalkicker at the Hawks. A knee injury cut short his 2007 season after only four games leaving him stranded on 13 goals.
Williams attracted controversy in 2008 when he made a choking gesture targeted at then-Port Adelaide
coach, Mark Williams. This was in reference to the then-Port Adelaide coach's famous choking gesture when the Power 2004 Premiership
. Williams was warned that he would be shown the door if such action occurred again. He did apologise to his Port Adelaide namesake after the game, which Hawthorn won convincingly.
In the 2008 Grand Final
, Williams and Stuart Dew
kicked four goals in three minutes to put Hawthorn in a winning position late in the third quarter. Williams' three goals was the most by any player during the Grand Final.
In 2009, Williams injured his knee and missed the majority of the season games.
The 2009 post-season trade week saw Williams traded to Essendon in a complex trade involving four clubs. He had a disappointing debut game for Essendon, when the Bombers were beaten by Geelong
at the MCG
. It was not a great night for Williams as he gathered just eight disposals and was kept scoreless in the match.
In the twilight of his career, Williams was unable to gain senior selection and played with Essendon's Victorian Football League
affiliate the Bendigo Bombers
, until his retirement which was announced on the 25 July 2011.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). He was traded from the Hawks to the Bombers during the 2009 AFL trade week.
Making his debut in 2002 after being drafted by the Hawks at pick 43 in the 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
, Williams was a small forward and came of age in 2005 when he was used as a full forward where he kicked 63 goals, making him the leading goal kicker of the club. Known for his flamboyance, pace and use of the "shotgun", a trademark celebration he used to use after kicking a goal, Williams was one of a number of young players at Hawthorn.
Williams finished 2006 with a total of 60 goals and once again was the leading goalkicker at the Hawks. A knee injury cut short his 2007 season after only four games leaving him stranded on 13 goals.
Williams attracted controversy in 2008 when he made a choking gesture targeted at then-Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
coach, Mark Williams. This was in reference to the then-Port Adelaide coach's famous choking gesture when the Power 2004 Premiership
2004 AFL Grand Final
The 2004 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Brisbane Lions, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 2004. It was the 108th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
. Williams was warned that he would be shown the door if such action occurred again. He did apologise to his Port Adelaide namesake after the game, which Hawthorn won convincingly.
In the 2008 Grand Final
2008 AFL Grand Final
The 2008 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Geelong Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on the 27th of September 2008...
, Williams and Stuart Dew
Stuart Dew
Stuart Dew is a former Australian rules footballer and dual premiership-player for Port Adelaide and Hawthorn in the Australian Football League. Dew was a student at Enfield High School prior to his AFL career....
kicked four goals in three minutes to put Hawthorn in a winning position late in the third quarter. Williams' three goals was the most by any player during the Grand Final.
In 2009, Williams injured his knee and missed the majority of the season games.
The 2009 post-season trade week saw Williams traded to Essendon in a complex trade involving four clubs. He had a disappointing debut game for Essendon, when the Bombers were beaten by Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
at the MCG
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
. It was not a great night for Williams as he gathered just eight disposals and was kept scoreless in the match.
In the twilight of his career, Williams was unable to gain senior selection and played with Essendon's Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
affiliate the Bendigo Bombers
Bendigo Bombers
The Bendigo Bombers Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia playing in the Victorian Football League .-Brief history:...
, until his retirement which was announced on the 25 July 2011.