Williams back with a bang for Manly in NRL
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He might have scored four first-half tries to inspire Manly to a 40-24 NRL win over Parramatta on Sunday, but David Williams admits he has no idea if he’ll be at the club next year.
With Matt Ballin becoming the latest player to sign a new deal with the premiers this weekend, the former NSW winger, who has played just 60 games in five injury-hit years, is in the dark about where he will be playing in 2013.
Williams has missed the past seven weeks with a hamstring problem but returned to action in scintillating fashion to become the first player in 60 years to score four tries before halftime as Manly romped to a 34-0 lead before taking their foot off the gas in the second period.
“I had to make up for a bit of lost time,” Williams said.
“In the first half, I was absolutely elated. The second half, I was down in the dumps. It pretty much sums it up. It was good to be back, but more of a positive was to just to finish the game injury-wise in good stead.”
Williams admits his appearance record is not great but denied he’d agreed a move to English Super League giants Leeds.
He is realistic about his chances of staying with the club though.
“I’ve got kids who’ve almost been playing two years who have passed me,” he said.
“I don’t know who tossed up Leeds but that’s an absolute porky.
“Someone tossed it up that I was doing interviews during the World Club Challenge.
“I tell you what – I had no interviews over there. I’m hopeful of staying. My manager’s doing it all – he’s the smart one of the relationship.
“But there’s bigger fish to fry around here than a lonely old winger on the sideline.”
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (2) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 9th 2012 @ 9:42am
eagleJack said | July 9th 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
One of the true nice guys of the game. I am hopeful of him staying. I think with both Whare and Oldfield being poached his chances of getting a contract renewal have greatly increased.
On the game yesterday – it was definitely one that left you feeling flat at full-time. Brilliant first 50mins. Woeful last 30. Losing Stewart, Taufua and Galuvao at that point certainly didn’t help. But I’d say there will be more positives than negatives to take from the match. Parra are great at turning it on when the game is lost. Did it against the Tigers as well. Maybe Kearney needs to tell his troops before they run out at the start that they are already down 5 or 6 tries. Certainly wouldn’t hurt.
July 9th 2012 @ 11:14am
Mals said | July 9th 2012 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Agreed we lost our defensive structure with the injuries. In hindsight it would have been handy having Whare on the bench as insurance considering Brett was just back from Origin & it was Wolfy’s 1st game back since breaking Ponies fans hearts up in Brisbane in early May.