Border Mail Round 5 – Preview

“I think I have lost a yard of pace,” Williams said.

“I didn’t play much footy a couple of year’s ago when I was at Lavington and got injured and then didn’t really do much in the off-season and I put on a few pounds.

“I’ve also been a bit slack with training this year but I’m getting back into it now.

“I work away from home a bit and I’ve got three kids that are under five.

“I try to spend as much time as I can with the kids.”

Williams said to help combat his loss of pace he has introduced a new skill.

The elusive Saint has started to use the “don’t argue” which is the signature trademark of Dusty Martin.

“Since I have slowed down a bit, I have found I have to fend them off a bit these days,” he said.

“So I don’t mind giving the don’t argue’s a go.

“It’s more like a push off though, because I don’t really have the strength to push them over.”

Williams grew up playing rugby before making the switch to Australian rules as an 17-year-old.

He was lured out to Brock-Burrum through his connection with the Boulton family, with Saints netballer Linita Boulton his partner.

The elusive speedster has proved more than a handy find, playing in all four of the Saints’ flags in the past six-years.

“Basically I just played rugby league at school and a bit for Lavington Panthers,” he said.

“My partner was playing netball for Brock-Burrum so I went out there and gave footy a crack and liked it a bit better than rugby.

“All her brothers were out there as well and conned me into playing.”

Williams said he revelled in the space of Australian rules compared to the confines of a rugby league ground.

“I just love the space you have got in footy,” he said.

“When you play on a ground with wide wings you don’t have do run at blokes, you just run around them.

“I think it is a lot easier than rugby league.

“I find tackling is one of my biggest skills because that’s pretty well all you do in rugby, tackle and run.”

Brock-Burrum is considered one of the quickest sides in the league.

With noted speedster’s Williams, Nico Sedgwick, Darcy I’Anson and Tyson Neander all boasting an abundance of leg speed.

Williams still rates himself as the slickest Saint.

“I might be slowing down, but I’ve still got those boys covered although they might disagree,” he joked.