He’s back. Andrew Williams takes yet another mark on his return game on Saturday, kicking seven goals. 67392 Picture: Scott Memery
By Mark Gullick and Peter Sweeney
TWIN girls which his wife Rebecca presented him with at the start of the football season led Andrew Williams into premature retirement.
A recent naming in Beaconsfield’s side of the decade and watching footage of past premiership sides spurred him to again get some kicks out of the game.
The former Dandenong Stingray, who played 84 matches at the West Coast Eagles and 32 at Collingwood when both were coached by Mick Malthouse, pulled the boots back on at Perc Allison Oval on Saturday.
Williams kicked seven goals against Devon Meadows in his first match for the Eagles since being a member of last year’s losing grand final team to Narre Warren.
Williams, the father of sons Mason, 4, and Ryley, 2, and three-month-olds Taylah and Emily, said it “was fun to be out there again”.
“I really enjoyed it … and it was good to get among the goals. I was in the right place at the right time for a few of those. I didn’t think I played that well.
“There was a little purple patch in the third quarter when I kicked three goals in five minutes. It was definitely a credit to our midfield, who applied a lot of pressure.
“I pulled up a little bit sore, which was to be expected having not played for well over six months.
“My not playing was really a family thing, obviously having the twins I wanted to make sure everything was going well at home.
“Aussie (Jones, Beaconsfield coach) was up for me playing again and after seeing some pretty ordinary results, I thought it might be time to see if I could get through a game again.
“I’ve been doing the running for Austinn, and it has been good to watch some of the young guys come through and they’re definitely enjoying the experience.
“I’m going to try to fast-track a few of those guys in senior footy and help them as much as I can. Hopefully, we can finish the year on a good note and some of these young guys can really come on.”
Williams was last Sunday week named in Beaconsfield’s team of the decade.
“It was a really good day,” he said.
“It was interesting to see some of the footage of past premierships and some of the guys that played in those. It made me a little bit hungry for some of that success, which we missed out on last year.
“That was part of the reason why I decided to play again.”
