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Opinion
What a start to the season it has been for Melbourne. Sitting at 9-0 the club is perfectly placed to return to finals action for the first time since 2018.
Simon Goodwin, the coaching staff, and the players deserve a lot of credit for what has been a remarkable start to the year for a club under extreme pressure to perform after a disappointing 2020 season.
Barring catastrophic disaster, the Demons will play finals and are perfectly placed for a top-four finish and tilt at the 2021 premiership.
One arrival in the off-season that has had a significant impact in the reversal of fortunes for Melbourne is Mark Williams.
The former Port Adelaide coach joined the club in a head of development role in December last year.
Williams has received plenty of plaudits for his work to date, his role with a heavy focus on working with the young players on the list but improving the skills of the whole squad.
In an interview last month Demon midfielder Ed Langdon could not have been stronger in his praise of the 2004 premiership coach.
“It’s probably the biggest individual impact apart from head coach that somebody can have on a football club. It’s been great what he’s doing for the young guys”
Simon Goodwin also spoke glowingly on the influence Williams has had in a relatively short period of time.
“He comes from a rich family that wins. He’s got an unbelievable ability to develop players in a whole range of different ways and he brings a great kicking program to our footy club. He’s got a lot of passion and a lot of enthusiasm.”
The last time I penned an article on Mark Williams it could be suggested I was less than favourable.
So, what has changed? One of the major obstacles I focused on was the fact Williams had not been involved at an AFL club that has won a final since 2007.
All being equal that narrative should change this year. After a significant period without finals success at any level Choco ticked this box off while coaching Werribee at VFL level.
The 62-year-old has been realistic when interviewed in recent years about his chances of landing another job in the hot seat. Age may be barrier as well as perceived personality traits that can rub people the wrong way.
A football veteran, Williams has declared he is loving what he is doing at Melbourne currently and who knows if he still aspires to be an AFL senior coach.
At the very least the reputation of Mark Williams seems to have been re-established by the performances of the high-flying Demons.
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