Mark Williams New Head of Development

[Whispering_Jack 29,758]

9 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

 

Thats a joke right?

He coached Port Adelaide for 12 seasons which included a Premiership and 17 finals appearances then developed the current 3 time flag winning Tigers team.

  Who gives a [censored] about AJAX and Werribee

No joke. Choco took on an aging B Grade amateurs team that was middle of the road in his first season and struggled under the weight of injuries and retirements the following year. The team was unsuccessful but he nurtured a number of players during that season who are going to form the foundation of a very good team in the not too distant future. That’s exactly what development’s about. At the same time he himself learned about a very different community and ultimately about himself. In many ways, I believe he did the same at Werribee. Perhaps, his own development over the past couple of seasons will hold him in good stead at Melbourne?

[—coach— 3,496]

Have said multiple times on here would love to have him at the club. Super please to see this news. Great off season for the club so far, hopefully it will translate into onfield success ❤️

[Optimus D 283]

Quite strange. I’ve never seen so much excitement over a development coach appointment. But I like it.

[Clintosaurus 7,831]

Great appointment. Probably should have happened when Macca left.

[DeeZee 7,361]

Great skills coach and master motivator

[pitmaster 3,512]

8 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I’ll attempt to answer this.

In a former role in my life, I used to manage a very large legal team at a major bank which controlled significant spend on legal firms each year just after the GFC - circa $35m each year. I headed up (and controlled) this spend for 5 years. That attracted significant interest. And, quite obviously, invitations to various things followed - bull sharks to a fishing trawler.

Who cares you might reasonably ask? Well, I didn’t. I didn’t give a flying stuff.

BUT - there was one moving part which was relevant. I was based in Sydney, and I was known to be about the only person in a relatively senior out-sourcing gig in NSW who was passionate about AFL. Everyone else liked rugby union, or cricket, or just themselves. I was known to be a Demons tragic - relevantly, I didn’t sell out. ?

GWS had just started up in Sydney, and it was keen to attract the interest of Sydney’s corporate community. They tried admirably but they received little to no penetration. In the early days at least.

Anyway, as a result of being the only dude who was vaguely interested in AFL at the time, I was invited to, and attended, a lot of GWS’s corporate functions, all of which were exceptional. I heard Mark Williams speak at several of them, quite often for ages. He was just SO freakin impressive. He gets this stuff. He’s charismatic as all hell. He’s a great motivator. He’s experienced. He’s a visionary. He’s a legend.

Like many here, I thought he was an absolute tool with his antics after the 2004 Grand Final. And then I heard him speak regularly from 2009 and beyond - I heard him a lot in fact. Don’t be confused here, this guy’s the real deal. He’ll make us great. The likes of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca, I expect, will hang off his words.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this boring and conservative club has just shown so much vision and confidence. I saw the appointment whilst causally looking at my wife’s Insta account - I just can’t believe it. Thought it was a joke at first.

We could very well win the flag next year. Just sayin’.

It’s time to get around this club. Everyone has to sign up. Force your next door neighbours to do so as well. It’s time to show some heart.

 

 

I was simply intending to "like" this post like so many others but I have to say, Ron, thank you very much for sharing this. It's very informative especially to another who, like you, thought "tool" in 2004.

[chook fowler 19,444]

It seems Choko has some fire in the belly and a point to prove. Perfect timing.

[Grimes Times 1,278]

9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Am also lead to believe that Mark Williams was also a serious contender for thr coaching job back in 2013, but eventually Roosy got the gig.

He also interviewed last year for the Richo role.

[jnrmac 20,053]

Very happy with this appointment but still very concerned about how much baby sitting we have to provide for Goodwin who has essentially failed in his role.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,687]

I have always believed that to be a Premiership contender, a club needs to have people in key positions who have been part of a Premiership before. We now have a Senior Coach who won two Premierships as a player, an Assistant Coach who was an Assistant Coach at Hawthorn when they were Premiers and a Development Coach who was himself a Senior Coach of a team that won a Premiership. Perhaps there are others, but that's a good start.

[Kent 2,906]

18 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Very happy with this appointment but still very concerned about how much baby sitting we have to provide for Goodwin who has essentially failed in his role.

Couldn't agree more re Goodwin

Its like who needs him what does he bring to the team?

Green Yze Richardson Now Williams  really makes you wonder what they found out in the review

But anyway we appear to be moving in the right direction maybe in spite of having to carry Goodwin

[nosoupforme 3,085]

                                                               . No more choking when it counts!

[Clintosaurus 7,831]

27 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Very happy with this appointment but still very concerned about how much baby sitting we have to provide for Goodwin who has essentially failed in his role.

Bomber Thompson and Hardwick were the same though, then their clubs put better people around them. It is a coaching panel for a reason. One person cannot do it all.

[Lucifers Hero 39,504]

16 hours ago, demonstone said:

I know we've been in dire straits, but I didn't expect to lose Mahoney for nothing and get Chocs for free.

Great laugh!  Thanks.

Coincidence?  Probably not.

Enough comments in this thread that Williams could have joined us last year with the coaching reshuffle which was a failure.  Mahoney called the shots last year.  He goes and bingo we get Williams.  Great result!

Would love to know what Goodwin thinks given that Williams was told 'no thanks' last year (based on reports during this thread).  Sparks might fly!

Edited December 8, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[picket fence 17,033]

16 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hoky feck this is huge news.

I rate him extremely highly and have a mate who plays at Werribee. Reckons he's one of the best coaches he's ever played under.

Josh Mahony not such a bad loss. Mark Williams... a HUGE , MONSTER GAIN!! Agree Daz!

[Axis of Bob 11,673]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Very happy with this appointment but still very concerned about how much baby sitting we have to provide for Goodwin who has essentially failed in his role.

This is a terrible take. 

You're essentially saying that attracting good people is an indication of failure and that trying to bring in good people is an indication of weakness. Should we be not trying to attract good people? 

You're just trying to shoehorn this information into your own personal judgement of Goodwin.

Anyway, I'm very happy with the appointment. He's different from most, but he's a great teacher and an extremely knowledgeable football person.

Edited December 8, 2020 by Axis of Bob

[dazzledavey36 54,212]

34 minutes ago, Kent said:

Couldn't agree more re Goodwin

Its like who needs him what does he bring to the team?

Green Yze Richardson Now Williams  really makes you wonder what they found out in the review

But anyway we appear to be moving in the right direction maybe in spite of having to carry Goodwin

Green?

He has nothing at all to do with the coaching side of things. He has failed in that department by being let go by 2 AFL clubs already.

He's on the board level which I have huge concerns in itself. 

I don’t see why people get so angst about Goody having experienced people around. The way I look at it is the club have gone out and identified the best people in the business that they think will help the development of our players most importantly. Williams role will be to help develop our players. Yes he'll be able to assist Goody at times, but his main role will be player development. Its no different to what Brendan Bolton is at Hawthorn or Leppitsch at Richmond.

I know people want to pot him just for the sake but jesus its getting old.

 

Edited December 8, 2020 by dazzledavey36

[Kent 2,906]

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Green?

He has nothing at all to do with the coaching side of things. He has failed in that department by being let go by 2 AFL clubs already.

He's on the board level which I have huge concerns in itself. 

I don’t see why people get so angst about Goody having experienced people around. The way I look at it is the club have gone out and identified the best people in the business that they think will help the development of our players most importantly. Williams role will be to help develop our players. Its no different to what Brendan Bolton is at Hawthorn or Leppitsch at Richmond.

I know people want to pot him just for the sake but jesus its getting old.

 

Appreciate your position on this DD but I differ

I just don't know what Goodwin brings to the table agree to disagree. I'm not potting him I just don't believe he is now or ever been the right Coach for us

BTW I'm happy as hell we have Richo and now Williams whether it assists Goodwin or not is irrelevant I believe he will be gone anyway.

 

[DemonOX 8,779]

10 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

He contacted Goody and asked if he could come onboard. Can't recall if Chocco actually named the position. Just said that he offered to work at MFC and was knocked back. Pretty sure I heard it on SEN, probably with Lyon and Watson.... you might be able to find it if you search long and deep enough.

Thanks Grr

Not suprised Goody said no and look how thats turned out.

How things have changed. It would be interesting to know if Pert and co have laid down the law so to speak to Goody and have said you need Chocco on board whether you want it or not or if Goody has realised he may need assistance because this is his last chance and what he has done previously has not worked properly.

Time will tell.

[DemonOX 8,779]

10 minutes ago, Kent said:

BTW I'm happy as hell we have Richo and now Williams whether it assists Goodwin or not is irrelevant I believe he will be gone anyway.

 

Can you expand on this Kent?????

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

Anyone know how long he has signed on for?

 

[PaulRB 6,336]

Another aspect of Williams wanting to, and now joining the MFC is that he’s an astute gauge of football talent and potential, and saw he could not only add value, but that there was sufficient talent there to go all the way.

augers well

[DeeZone 9,637]

2 hours ago, DeeZee said:

Great skills coach and master motivator

He had me at Yes...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jayceebee31 759]

What a superb if not master stroke coaching appointment.He has known both Richardson and Goody for many years.A brilliant teacher.He will improve this side dramatically. Now, we need someone like a Silvagni to cover the loss of Mahoney whom I believe after 13 years was the right move to go....it will be interesting to see whom replaces him tonight....Pert or Richardson or Goody himself.Now to pick up a couple of ripper kids tonight will make a great Xmas for all Dee supporters .

Edited December 9, 2020 by jayceebee31

[whatwhat say what 22,658]

i worked with choc for a bit a decade or so ago

he is a brilliant football mind and an absolutely wildly unpredictable personality