Mark M. Williams
Encyclopedia
Mark "Choco" Williams is a former Australian rules football
er who coached the Port Adelaide Football Club
in the Australian Football League
from 1999 to 2010. He is currently the senior assistant coach of the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
(SANFL) at West Adelaide
(where his father Fos Williams
was coaching). He represented West Adelaide on 64 occasions for 37 goals. Williams then moved to the Port Adelaide Magpies
, becoming one of the stars of the SANFL.
, making his Victorian Football League
(VFL) debut in the 1981 season. He dominated there, including two best and fairest awards plus, and he was the Collingwood captain from 1983–1986.
An unfortunate contract dispute at the end of the 1986 season saw Williams reluctantly make the move north to join the fledgling Brisbane Bears
. He was appointed vice-captain to Mark Mickan
at the new club. He played three and a half seasons before retiring from the Bears during the 1990 season.
as an assistant coach.
, and in 1999, won the head coaching role at Port Adelaide, replacing John Cahill. Port Adelaide won the minor premiership three seasons in a row under Williams' reign (2002, 2003 and 2004); after failing to reach the Grand Final in either 2002 or 2003, the club went on to win its first AFL premiership in 2004. In 2007, Williams once again coached Port Adelaide to the Grand Final
, but his side suffered the worst ever grand final defeat, losing to Geelong
by 119 points. Throughout 2009, Port Adelaide's inconsistent on-field performances continued to focus on Williams' future at the club. Late in the season, following the appointment of Mark Haysman as CEO, and after much conjecture in the media, Williams was offered a new 2 year contract. On 9 July 2010, Williams resigned as coach of Port Adelaide and coached his final game for Port Adelaide against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium.
, is often referred to as the father of the Port Adelaide Football Club. His twin brother Anthony (dec.) played at SANFL level, while younger brother Stephen
played at both SANFL and AFL level and coached Port Adelaide to three SANFL premierships. His sister, Jenny
, briefly served as a psychologist with the club. Mark is married to Pauline and they have three sons and two daughters.
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 coached the Port Adelaide Football Club
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...
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...
from 1999 to 2010. He is currently the senior assistant coach of the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
SANFL (1976–1980)
Williams playing career began in the South Australian National Football LeagueSouth Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SANFL) at West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
(where his father Fos Williams
Fos Williams
Foster Neil "Fos" Williams AM was a leading Australian rules footballer who played for and coached the Port Adelaide and West Adelaide Football Clubs and coached South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League in a career spanning 1946-1978...
was coaching). He represented West Adelaide on 64 occasions for 37 goals. Williams then moved to the Port Adelaide Magpies
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...
, becoming one of the stars of the SANFL.
VFL (1981–1990)
After the 1980 season, Williams was recruited by CollingwoodCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, making his Victorian 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...
(VFL) debut in the 1981 season. He dominated there, including two best and fairest awards plus, and he was the Collingwood captain from 1983–1986.
An unfortunate contract dispute at the end of the 1986 season saw Williams reluctantly make the move north to join the fledgling Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
. He was appointed vice-captain to Mark Mickan
Mark Mickan
Mark James "Rubbers" Mickan is a former Australian rules footballer who has the unusual history of being on the inaugural player list for two VFL/AFL clubs – Brisbane Bears and Adelaide Crows. He began and finished his senior career with SANFL club West Adelaide. All-Australian Team selection in...
at the new club. He played three and a half seasons before retiring from the Bears during the 1990 season.
SANFL Second Stint (1990-1992)
Williams returned to Port Adelaide, and finished the 1990 season there, before playing a further two seasons. In his two stints at Port Adelaide, he played 115 games, kicked 104 goals, and won four premierships. He retired from playing at the end of 1992, with a total of 380 league games to his name.Early career
Williams coached Glenelg in 1993 and 1994 before joining EssendonEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
as an assistant coach.
Port Adelaide Power (1997–2010)
In 1997, Williams joined the Port Adelaide Power as an assistant coach in its inaugural season in the AFLAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, and in 1999, won the head coaching role at Port Adelaide, replacing John Cahill. Port Adelaide won the minor premiership three seasons in a row under Williams' reign (2002, 2003 and 2004); after failing to reach the Grand Final in either 2002 or 2003, the club went on to win its first AFL premiership in 2004. In 2007, Williams once again coached Port Adelaide to the Grand Final
2007 AFL Grand Final
The 2007 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Geelong Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 29 September 2007. It was the 111th annual Grand Final of the VFL/AFL, staged to determine the...
, but his side suffered the worst ever grand final defeat, losing to 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...
by 119 points. Throughout 2009, Port Adelaide's inconsistent on-field performances continued to focus on Williams' future at the club. Late in the season, following the appointment of Mark Haysman as CEO, and after much conjecture in the media, Williams was offered a new 2 year contract. On 9 July 2010, Williams resigned as coach of Port Adelaide and coached his final game for Port Adelaide against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium.
Greater Western Sydney Giants (2011–present)
In 2010, Williams signed with the Greater Western Sydney Giants as the senior assistant coach to Kevin Sheedy who he worked under when coaching Essendon.Footballing dynasty
Williams comes from a large and intensely proud footballing dynasty, closely aligned with Port Adelaide. His father, the late Fos WilliamsFos Williams
Foster Neil "Fos" Williams AM was a leading Australian rules footballer who played for and coached the Port Adelaide and West Adelaide Football Clubs and coached South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League in a career spanning 1946-1978...
, is often referred to as the father of the Port Adelaide Football Club. His twin brother Anthony (dec.) played at SANFL level, while younger brother Stephen
Stephen Williams (footballer)
Stephen Williams is a former Australian rules footballer in the South Australian National Football League, playing for the Port Adelaide Magpies and is currently an assistant development coach at Port Adelaide Power....
played at both SANFL and AFL level and coached Port Adelaide to three SANFL premierships. His sister, Jenny
Jenny Williams (sportsperson)
Jenny Williams is a South Australian sportsperson who represented South Australia in six sports, namely Lacrosse, Indoor Lacrosse, Touch , Soccer, Cricket and Australian Rules football....
, briefly served as a psychologist with the club. Mark is married to Pauline and they have three sons and two daughters.
Career highlights
- Collingwood captain, 1983–1986
- Collingwood best and fairest (Copeland TrophyCopeland TrophyThe E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
), 1981, 1985 - Collingwood leading goal kicker, 1984 (53 goals)
- Brisbane vice-captain, 1987–1990
- All-Australian, 1980
- State representative (South Australia 8, Victoria 1)
- 4 SANFL Premierships as player with Port Adelaide, 1979, 1980, 1990, 1992
- 2004 AFL premiership coach with Port Adelaide