Thank you Mark "Choco" Williams!

[Supreme_Demon 3,009]

3 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Do we know what was said?,  There was an article on the AFL site that referred to this but when you read the article there was no mention of it.

It's in one of the post game interviews after the Grand Final. I can't remember if it was on Channel 7 or Fox Footy, sorry.

[Stiff Arm 4,412]

Tracc said on foxtel tonight that Chocco reminded him of all the mindfulness work he had done this year and told him to reset.   

[dee-tox 4,798]

7 hours ago, wizardinoz said:

Bugger signing him on for a few more years, let's make it for life! 😂

I know this is tongue in cheek but makes you wonder why Choco seems to have an expiry date at many clubs? As he said in the ABC article no one has wanted him. for a senior role and we picked him up from Werribee. 

His knowledge of football is amazing and he obviously knows how to motivate and develop players. I wonder if some clubs have seen him as too big a personality? I have heard second hand that our media dept. are keen to shield him away from as many interviews as possible.

Anyway, I'm glad we have him. Sometimes being a maverick goes a long way. What he has done with the young guys as well as the senior blokes has been amazing.

Edited September 27, 2021 by dee-tox

[durango 1,976]

The comment by Yze that he has come home was priceless.

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

3 hours ago, dee-tox said:

I know this is tongue in cheek but makes you wonder why Choco seems to have an expiry date at many clubs? As he said in the ABC article no one has wanted him. for a senior role and we picked him up from Werribee. 

His knowledge of football is amazing and he obviously knows how to motivate and develop players. I wonder if some clubs have seen him as too big a personality? I have heard second hand that our media dept. are keen to shield him away from as many interviews as possible.

Anyway, I'm glad we have him. Sometimes being a maverick goes a long way. What he has done with the young guys as well as the senior blokes has been amazing.

It's because he is mad as a cut snake and no club will entrust their expensive playing list (costly in time and money) to his charge.

On the other hand, our now-excellent football department has found a way to use his best attributes to the advantage of our team, and to the gratification of "Mad Mark". Win-win. Win-win-win. Win win win win win win win win win win win .... (sorry, got carried away. GO DEMONS!!!)

[Lucifers Hero 37,006]

These are posts from the Post Match thread but thought they are relevant here also.

23 hours ago, Premiers said:

Choco was rather coy about what he whispered to Petracca; it sounded a bit like he was appealing to Petracca's ego.  It worked!!

As you say he got the first clearance.  Then he looked unstoppable.  The next time we saw a close up of him (for a fraction of a second somewhere in the 2 Fritsch, Brown and Brayshaw goals sequence) he wore a fierce expression.  He didn't look satisfied with that handful of goals.  Then he went on a rampage.

Just shows what having coaches on the bench can do.  It is unlikely Choco's message coming thru headphones would have had the same affect.

Then I found more info:

8 minutes ago, Premiers said:

Apologies for quoting myself.  I just wanted to elaborate on the above. 

The Choco interview I was referring to is in this.  what-chocco-said-to-trac?  Choco's reflection on his 'whispering' to Petracca is in this article and starts @ 3.20.  Love Choco's cheeky expression when asked the question.

This is the fierce expression I'm referring to in the above post.  We then kicked 3 goals in less than a minute.  it was not long after Choco's 'whispering'.

 

Thanks to @Chookfor posting it in the favourite GF thread. 

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Premiers

[Dwight Schrute 16,751]

Apparently he gave the players a huge spray about being timmid and not taking the game on, and that change defintiely turned the game, the dogs couldn't go with us. 

 

[Lucifers Hero 37,006]

5 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

Apparently he gave the players a huge spray about being timmid and not taking the game on, and that change defintiely turned the game, the dogs couldn't go with us. 

I think it was more than the spray.

There was a good interview last night with Goodwin on OTC.  He made a lot of tactical changes after half time to get the contest back on our terms and take the heat out of Daniel and Bontempelli games.  The changes took 15 minutes to kick in but once they did there was no stopping us.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 3,818]

Thanks for doing this, everyone, including for the nods to the other coaches (I'm also appreciating the on-reporting from various media that I'm unable to get, by the way!)

I wonder if those to whom our thanks are directed get to see them? I hope so!

p.s. Also wondering of 2021's realised good-teammate-not-self culture has made players and coaching staff more open to each other's messages, making good coaches (and players) even better?

Edited September 27, 2021 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew
p.s.

[Scipio 5,868]

17 minutes ago, Premiers said:

I think it was more than the spray.

There was a good interview last night with Goodwin on OTC.  He made a lot of tactical changes after half time to get the contest back on our terms and take the heat out of Daniel and Bontempelli games.  The changes took 15 minutes to kick in but once they did there was no stopping us.

I feel as though Goody's cool, calm, collected approach and Choco's 'pizzazz' compliment each other so, so well.

[layzie 28,718]

Thanks Uncle Choco! We should have had you at this football club years ago! 

[Gawndy the Great 7,335]

7 hours ago, dee-tox said:

I know this is tongue in cheek but makes you wonder why Choco seems to have an expiry date at many clubs? As he said in the ABC article no one has wanted him. for a senior role and we picked him up from Werribee. 

His knowledge of football is amazing and he obviously knows how to motivate and develop players. I wonder if some clubs have seen him as too big a personality? I have heard second hand that our media dept. are keen to shield him away from as many interviews as possible.

Anyway, I'm glad we have him. Sometimes being a maverick goes a long way. What he has done with the young guys as well as the senior blokes has been amazing.

I too wondered  what is this guy doing coaching a VFL side. He still has the hunger to be head coach and I think will challenge himself at times to remember his place amongst his colleagues - more so now that he is receiving public acknowledgement that he has contributed to another flag. 

We can all laud his efforts thus far, but equally when things are not going well, his temperament and style with the playing group can also contribute to his downfall. Personally I think as a development coach, he knows how to extract every last drop of talent from every player - which is great for the club - but may bruise a few egos along the way. His longevity will rest upon how well he can get this balanced. 

[Supreme_Demon 3,009]

I would love for @Demonland
to eventually arrange an interview with Mark "Choco" Williams on the Demonland podcast maybe, please?

Just so we can call in and give our heartfelt thanks to Mark "Choco" Williams for all the amazing work he has done as Head of Development. May his involvement at the Melbourne Football Club continue for many years to come!

[Guest]

Martin Flanagan summed things up well when he noted that it's been very 'un-Melbourne-like' people who have impacted our club the most throughout our history.

Norm Smith was a Northcote boy. Checker Hughes came from the blood lust culture of Richmond (and gave us our nickname). Jimmy was both an Irish and a Catholic, which seems incongruous for a club associated the Protestant establishment of Melbourne. Maxy might very well have been thrown out of the MCC members were he not our drought breaking captain.

Choco, while not having the same impact on the surface, can be considered among the people who have made a difference due to breaking the mold. He is passionate, mercurial and outspoken. While our culture can be poo-pooed unfairly, these qualities were excellent counterbalances to Goody's calmer approach. 

A brilliant pickup who I hope hangs around for at least 5 more years!

[spirit of norm smith 12,899]

Dees had many jigsaw pieces to find to complete our premiership picture. 
 

The addition of Mark “choco” Williams was one critical piece. He and Yze brought winning culture and the mindset to compliment Goodwin. 
 

Thanks Choco. 

[picket fence 15,128]

On 9/27/2021 at 11:27 AM, Supreme_Demon said:

I wanted to say a massive thank you to Mark "Choco" Williams for coming to the Melbourne Football Club.

Apparently he said something pretty inspiring to Christian Petracca while he was on the bench when the Grand Final was in the balance. This assisted with turning things around very quickly in the Demons favour.

Mark "Choco" Williams has probably been the recruit of the year for the Melbourne Football Club. I cannot sing his praises any higher.

I hope that the Melbourne Football Club sign him on for a few more years. He has made a massive impact on our playing group.

To think a few years ago no AFL club wanted Mark "Choco" Williams around. He has definitely proved them all wrong! What a legend!

ABSOLUTE LEVIATHAN!!

[dl4e 5,583]

Williams and Yze have been the cream on the pie.

[deebug 1,754]

Hope they both stay long term?😍

[Maldonboy38 5,850]

Mad as a cut snake and I love him. His appointment is right up there with the Jackson, Bartlett, Roos, and Goodwin appointments. 

And I reckon he is in the perfect role. No way could he be a senior coach again. The narrower the frame he works in the better he is. With all the coaches, development coaches, line coaches etc... in modern footy, he would go round the twist taking half the team with him. 

Please, please, please MFC pay him enough and keep him stimulated enough so he stays for a 5 year stint. Please! I reckon our premiership window could be 5 years long and I want this bloke involved.