Williams joins the Giants

Greater Western Sydney Giants CEO Dale Holmes today announced that Premiership Coach Mark Williams will join the Giants as the Club’s Senior Assistant Coach, reaffirming the Club’s continued push to bring together the most experienced football department.

Williams will begin work immediately under Head Coach Kevin Sheedy, focusing on maximising the development of the Giants’ young playing group.

Williams’ appointment continues the long partnership he has had with Sheedy after the pair spent two years working together at Essendon.

“It’s great to have the chance to re-establish my partnership with Sheeds. We have a long history and a great friendship, we really do work well together,” said Williams.

“This is an exciting time for the Giants. I was at Brisbane and Port Adelaide when both of those clubs were starting out so hopefully I can draw on some of my experiences to help with the build of this Club. In many ways the early days at Brisbane were very similar to what the Giants are facing now.

“My history clearly shows that I enjoy being a part of the AFL’s growth and expansion, but in the end it was the appeal of working with Graeme Allan and Kevin Sheedy again and the chance to work with the best talent coming through the system that I just couldn’t say no to.”

Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said that it was important for the Giants to attract and retain the best people available to help build the Club from the outset.

“Mark is an exceptionally talented coach with a wealth of experience. He managed to take Port Adelaide to a Premiership and two Grand Finals in his 11 years at the club.

“If we’re serious about building a strong club, we need to secure the most talented people out there who have a genuine passion for building the game, and that is Mark Williams.

“Mark now joins, myself, Stephen Silvagni, Craig Lambert, Alan McConnell, John Quinn and of course Graeme Allan in our growing  football department – that is a wealth of knowledge and success for our young players to tap in to.

“As a club we’re responsible for not just building the Giants, but for also developing the code in NSW. That requires a lot of work both on and off the field. I need to make sure I have the best resources in place to help develop the talented group of players we have access to.

“Mark and I started working together a long time ago. We have a great history, he helped me redevelop Essendon. I’m excited to have him here working with me again.”

Giants Chairman Tony Shepherd also welcomed Williams to the Club saying: “It’s great to have Mark on board, he has a lot offer this football club and I am pleased that he will be joining the Giants family.”

As the first player signed to the Brisbane Bears in 1987, Williams has had a long career assisting with the growth the game.

Williams retired from the AFL in 1990 and began his coaching career in 1993 in the SANFL with Glenelg. He moved to Essendon as an Assistant Coach under Kevin Sheedy in 1995, before becoming the Senior Coach of Port Adelaide in 1999.

Williams spent 11 seasons in charge of Port Adelaide, coaching 274 games and leading the club to its first Premiership in 2004.