In this episode of the podcast, Hayden Kelly sits down with Alexander Williams, a prominent figure in the rugby league world. They delve into Williams' illustrious career, from his early days playing junior footy for the Gosford Townies and North Sydney Bears to his significant achievements in first grade.
Williams shares his journey through the Northern Eagles merger, his transition to Melbourne Storm, and his final stint at the Canberra Raiders before heading overseas. He reflects on the honor of winning the Dally M in 2004 and being named halfback of the year multiple times, emphasizing the importance of team support from legendary players like Brett Stewart, Billy Slater, and Cameron Smith.
The discussion also touches on Williams' early experiences in junior footy and the valuable lessons he learned from coaches Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler. Williams recounts the tough losses and learning moments from 2007, leading to the triumphant 2008 season, where his team dominated the finals with remarkable defensive strength and teamwork.
Later, Williams talks about the challenges he faced with injuries, his move to coaching, and the rewarding experience of developing young talent. He highlights the importance of understanding individual players' needs, gaining their trust, and fostering their skills both on and off the field.
Williams concludes by expressing his pride in overcoming a stroke in 2016 and his gratitude for continuing to contribute to the game through coaching. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt reflection on his career and a look towards the future of rugby league.
Alexander Williams began his rugby league journey with the Gosford Townies, where his passion for the sport was ignited. His talent quickly caught the attention of scouts, leading to his time with the North Sydney Bears. These early years were instrumental in shaping his skills and mindset.
Williams' transition to first grade came with the Northern Eagles, a merger of the North Sydney Bears and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. This period was filled with challenges, as the team worked to find its identity and cohesion.
One of Williams' most significant achievements was winning the Dally M Award in 2004, recognizing him as the best player in the league. His consistent performance earned him the title of halfback of the year multiple times.
Williams' prowess on the field led to his selection for the New South Wales State of Origin team and the Australian national team, where he showcased his skills on an international stage.
During his time with Manly, Williams played alongside legends like Brett Stewart, Billy Slater, and Cameron Smith. These partnerships were crucial to the team's success and provided Williams with invaluable experiences.
The 2007 season was a challenging one, culminating in a grand final loss. However, Williams learned important lessons about resilience and teamwork, which he carried forward into future seasons.
The 2008 season was a highlight of Williams' career. The team’s preparation and mindset led them to a dominant performance, securing the championship and cementing their place in rugby league history.
Williams' move to the Melbourne Storm marked a new chapter in his career. Under the guidance of coach Craig Bellamy, he adapted to a new team environment and continued to excel.
Williams faced new challenges at the Canberra Raiders and during a brief stint overseas. Injuries tested his resilience, but he remained committed to the sport.
After retiring from playing, Williams transitioned to coaching, taking on the role of coach for Manly's Under 16s. His focus on player development and fostering a positive team environment became his coaching philosophy.
Coaching brought its own set of challenges, as Williams worked to meet the diverse needs and motivations of young players. The rewards, however, came in the form of witnessing their growth and development.
Throughout his career, Williams faced numerous injuries that tested his physical and mental strength. These experiences taught him the importance of perseverance and self-care.
In 2016, Williams suffered a stroke, marking a significant turning point in his life. Despite the setback, he remained dedicated to contributing to rugby league through coaching and mentorship.
Hayden Kelly: Alright Maddie, welcome to the podcast.
Alexander Williams: Thanks for having me.
Hayden Kelly: No worries at all. For those listening, we intended to get Matt Ballin on and Desi Hazel but they weren't available today so we've got Maddie Ox Orford joining us instead. Just to kick things off, can you give a bit of an intro about yourself and your background in footy? Alexander Williams: Sure, I grew up on the Central Coast, playing my junior footy for the Gosford Townies and North Sydney Bears. When the Northern Eagles merger happened between North Sydney and Manly, that's when I got my opportunity in first grade. I was lucky enough to play over 200 games for the Eagles and was captain for a number of years. I also had the privilege of playing State of Origin a few times and representing Australia on the world stage. After Manly I went to Melbourne Storm for a couple years and then finished up with a short stint at the Canberra Raiders before heading overseas.
Hayden Kelly: Fantastic career mate. You achieved so much individually as well, winning the Dally M in 2004 and being named halfback of the year on multiple occasions. That's an incredible feat considering the caliber of players you had around you and the competition with teams like Melbourne at the time. You must be proud to have achieved what so few players do in winning a Dally M.
Alexander Williams: It was something I never expected to get but always strived to be the best player I could be, especially in my position. To win it was amazing but I was always about the team first. We had such a great team at Manly in those years with players like Brett Stewart, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith around me, it made things a bit easier. But it's still a huge honor to have won such a prestigious individual award.
Hayden Kelly: Absolutely, it's an incredible achievement. Alright Maddie, we'll get into more about your success at Manly in just a moment. But first, I wanted to touch on your early days coming through the juniors. You played for Gosford Townies and North Sydney Bears before the Northern Eagles merger. What was that progression like for you as a young player coming through the ranks?
Alexander Williams: Those early junior days were so much fun, just enjoying playing footy with my mates. I was lucky at Norths to be behind someone like Jason Taylor who never missed a game, he was such a talented halfback. When the Eagles merger happened that's when I got my chance in first grade which was huge for me. I really had to work on my game and my body in those early years, going from juniors to first grade is a big step up. But it was a great learning experience.
Hayden Kelly: For sure. And then after a few years with the Eagles, you made the move down to Melbourne to join the Storm in 2001. What was that transition like, both on and off the field, moving interstate so young?
Alexander Williams: It was a huge change but also a great opportunity. I was looking to take my game to the next level and really learn what it takes to be a first grade halfback. Melbourne had such an amazing team in those years with players like Robbie Ross, Scott Hill and the whole forward pack, it was incredible to learn from them. Off the field, all the boys were in the same boat being away from home so we became like family. That's a big part of Melbourne's success, the bond we all shared. It helped me develop my game and my leadership.
Hayden Kelly: For sure. And you had some great coaches along the way like Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and Des Hasler at Manly. What are some of the key things you took from both of them in their coaching styles?
Alexander Williams: They were both so passionate about the game and had very different styles which I think helped me a lot. Bellamy was all about discipline and the basics, everything had to be done perfectly. Des was more quirky in his approach but just as demanding. Both were so meticulous in their planning and preparation. I think the main things I took from them were the importance of defense, being fit and strong to play the full 80 minutes, and understanding how to get the best out of the players. They were two of the best coaches in the world.
Hayden Kelly: Absolutely, both legendary coaches. It's clear you developed into a leader under their guidance as well, going on to captain Manly and represent your state and country multiple times. Alright Maddie, we'll get into more detail about your success with Manly in the coming years. But first, I wanted to touch on the early 2000s when you were with the Eagles.
Hayden Kelly: You mentioned coming up against some tough losses in 2007, but it was also a building period before the team's later success. What were some of the key lessons you took from that time?
Alexander Williams: Absolutely, 2007 was a huge learning year for us. Getting beaten in that first grand final really showed us what it would take to go one better. We changed a lot about our preparation and mindset after that loss, it was a real eye-opener. Some of the little things we weren't doing well enough came to the forefront. It made us hungrier and taught us about handling the pressure of those big occasions. A lot of what we did in 2008 came from reflecting on 2007 and ensuring we didn't make the same mistakes.
Hayden Kelly: For sure, that's so valuable to learn from. Alright, let's get into 2008 then which was probably the most dominant season I've seen from a team. You only conceded 12 points across your 3 finals matches and scored over 100, it was incredible. Talk us through some of the key moments from that magical year.
Alexander Williams: 2008 really was special, everything just clicked into place. We were so determined not to feel that disappointment from the year before. The whole season we just got better and better as a unit. That first final against the Roosters, you could already see how hungry we were. Then against the Warriors in the prelim and finally the grand final against Melbourne, we just had this unbelievable belief in ourselves that we were going to win. Brett's tries, our defense, it all came together perfectly. The grand final especially, from the moment that siren went I never doubted we would win, we were that switched on.
Hayden Kelly: It's incredible to think back on, you really blew those teams away. And to do it against such strong opposition like Melbourne who were minor premiers that year, it really showed how complete a team you had. You had so many stars too, like Brett Stewart, yourself, Ballin, Smith and more. What was that like playing in such a talented spine?
Alexander Williams: I was so lucky to have players of that calibre around me. It made my job that bit easier knowing the talent behind me. Ballin and Smith were just phenomenal, their service and organization took so much pressure off. And then to have a freak like Brett outside me, it was magic to watch him play. We all brought the best out of each other and had such a bond both on and off the field. That's what made it so special, the connection we all shared.
Hayden Kelly: It really was a golden era for Manly. Alright, we've touched on your early career and success with Manly. But your career trajectory took you to a few other clubs as well like Melbourne, Canberra and overseas. Talk us through some of those later stages and the challenges you faced with injuries.
Alexander Williams: Leaving Manly was tough but I was looking for a new challenge. Unfortunately injuries really hampered my time at Canberra and cut my career short earlier than I would've liked. Going to England was another big change but I was struggling with shoulder and groin issues by that point. Coming back from the stroke in 2016 was another huge challenge, both physically and mentally, but I'm grateful to still be playing a role in the game now through coaching. Injuries are always tough but I have no regrets, I gave it my all and achieved more than I ever dreamed as a player.
Hayden Kelly: Absolutely, you can be so proud of everything you accomplished. It's amazing you were able to achieve what you did given all the physical hurdles as well. Alright, we've covered your playing career but I wanted to touch on your coaching journey now. You're currently coaching Manly's under 16s, talk us through that role and what you're focusing on.
Alexander Williams: Coaching is so rewarding, I love being able to pass on knowledge and help develop young players. At this age it's all about skills, teaching them the fundamentals and building that base. I try to reinforce the importance of defense, catching and passing which are so crucial. It's also about developing them as people and helping them enjoy their footy. I love seeing them grow and hopefully help set some of them up for future opportunities. We've had good success getting a number of the boys contracts which is very satisfying as a coach.
Hayden Kelly: That's fantastic. And what are some of the key challenges you've found transitioning from a playing career into coaching?
Alexander Williams: The biggest challenge is just learning how different players tick and react to things. As a coach you have to understand how to motivate each individual and what coaching style suits them best. It's also about gaining the players' trust and respect. I'm still learning so much myself in terms of game planning, leadership and getting my message across clearly. Coaching is very different to playing but I love the challenge of helping others improve. It's very rewarding when you see something you've worked on come off for a player.
Hayden Kelly: For sure, there's so much that goes into it beyond just the Xs and Os on the board. Alright, we've covered a lot of ground on your career so far. Is there anything in particular you want to touch on that we haven't discussed?
Alexander Williams: Hmm, I guess one thing is just how proud I am to still be involved in the game after experiencing the stroke in 2016. It was such a challenging time but I'm grateful to still have a role in footy. Coaching brings me so much joy and it's great to see the next generation coming through. I also appreciate opportunities like this to look back fondly on my playing days and hopefully give some insight to fans. Football has given me so much, I just want to keep giving back to the sport if I can.
Hayden Kelly: Absolutely, it's great that you've been able to do that despite the challenges you've faced. Alright Maddie, we'll wrap things up there but thanks so much for your time today, it's been awesome chatting footy and reliving some of those great memories. Really appreciate you coming on the podcast.
Alexander Williams: No worries at all, thanks for having me. It was great to look back and share some stories, hopefully it gave people a bit of insight into my career. Really enjoyed it!
Hayden Kelly: Top stuff, thanks again and we'll have to try get you, Des and Ballin on together at some point. Take care and we'll chat soon.
Alexander Williams: Sounds good, hopefully we can make that happen. Thanks mate, take it easy!
Hayden Kelly: Cheers!
Alexander Williams: Cheers!
Hayden Kelly: Alright, thanks for listening everyone! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Alexander Williams' career is a testament to his passion, dedication, and resilience. From his early days with the Gosford Townies to his coaching role, Williams has made significant contributions to rugby league. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring players and coaches alike, highlighting the importance of team dynamics, preparation, and personal development. As he continues to influence the sport through coaching, Williams' legacy in rugby league endures.