Production line strong for Swans
News Desk
star would have had far more appearances had he not suffered from
chronic fatigue syndrome. ...
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/253/williams0ya.jpg
RETIRING Swans star Paul Williams nominated three emerging midfielders
he believes will render Sydney "quality" service after he finishes
his distinguished career at the end of this season.
Williams, who has made a combined tally of 303 AFL appearances for
Collingwood and Sydney since 1991, said a combination of footy and
family factors had contributed to his decision.
He won Sydney's best and fairest in 2001 and 2002, his first two
seasons with the club, was an All-Australian representative in 2003 and
won a premiership medal last year.
Sydney coach Paul Roos said Williams and Adam Goodes had brought
something different to the club and made Sydney a little more
flamboyant and unpredictable.
"(Williams was) as good a midfielder that has played the game. When
he was at his absolute best, he was a superstar," Roos said.
Williams said he was happy and comfortable to retire because there was
no doubt the club had depth for "years to come".
He felt there was no shortage of midfielders at the club ready to make
their mark.
"I think Jarrad McVeigh is going to be a super player for the club,
definitely a 10-year player and Luke Ablett is another one that was
outstanding last year and who has improved again this year," Williams
said.
"I think another young one who is going to be a really super player
for us is Nick Malceski as well, so there's three off the top that I
think are going to be not just good, but I think they are going to be
quality."
Roos said he would probably give youngsters a chance to fill the vacant
spot rather than bring in a more experienced player from outside the
club.
Five more appearances will take him past Alastair Lynch as the
Tasmanian to have played most AFL games, but modest Williams said the
former Fitzroy and Brisbane star would have had far more appearances
had he not suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome.
He said he had been "80 to 90 per cent sure" at the start of the
year it would be his final season, but was always going to wait before
making a final decision.
"Some guys perhaps play a year too long and I definitely didn't
want to be one of those," he said.
"Perhaps I might have been able to play again next year, but not at
the level that I wanted to.
He hoped to stay in football, either in coaching or another capacity.