Williams advocates for Voice in Hall of Fame speech
Port Adelaide AFL premiership coach Mark Williams has delivered a stirring and passionate Hall of Fame induction speech to advocate for Indigenous footballers.
Port Adelaide’s only AFL premiership coach Mark Williams has used his Hall of Fame induction to advocate for Indigenous footballers and a “Yes” vote in the Voice referendum.
In a passionate and wide-ranging speech at Melbourne’s Crown Casino, the lifelong football champion ended the function in stirring style.
Joking he was given the hard task of following iconic broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, Williams need not have worried as he delivered a memorable acceptance speech.
The 64-year-old said he remained in football, currently at Melbourne, due to his love of working with people from all backgrounds.
“The Aboriginal people, I absolutely love. I really admire the AFL for talking and standing up for the ‘Yes’ vote for the Voice,” Williams said.
“I am saying we have to do the right thing and understand how bloody hard it is for the Aboriginal players to make their way in the AFL.
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“We need to support them and understand them.
“When we get them there, make sure we give them opportunity and then absolutely demand the best from them and expect the best.”
Williams used the 2004 grand final when he coached Port to their sole premiership as an example of First Nations players starring on the biggest stage.
Byron Pickett won the Norm Smith Medal, while fellow Indigenous Power teammates Gavin Wanganeen, Peter Burgoyne and Shaun Burgoyne also played key roles in Port’s 40-point victory over the all-conquering Brisbane Lions.
“I want them to be best on ground, not just making up the numbers,” Williams said.
“On grand final day, that’s what we saw when Port Adelaide won.”
Williams enjoyed an illustrious playing career in the SANFL with Port Adelaide, before taking his talents to the VFL/AFL at Collingwood and Brisbane.
His father, Fos, was part of the inaugural intake into the Australian Football Hall of Fame back in 1996 as a nine-time premiership coach with Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
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Mark coached Port in the AFL for more than a decade, and has also had senior assistant roles at Essendon, GWS, Richmond, and now the Demons.
Williams worked under coaching icon Kevin Sheedy at Essendon and GWS, declaring during his speech there should be a statue of the four-time Bombers premiership coach outside of the MCG.
The Port Adelaide Football Club congratulated Williams on becoming the club’s 16th inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch lauded Williams for an incredible career both as a player and coach.
“The club is delighted for Mark and his family on tonight’s most worthy induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame,” Koch said.
“Mark stands as one of the most influential contributors in the 153-year history of our club both as a player and coach.”
Koch said Williams and his three siblings were born into the club as his father Fos guided Port Adelaide through a dynasty of premiership success in the 1950s and 1960s.
“Mark played a significant role in four SANFL premierships here at Port Adelaide as a tough, uncompromising, skilful centreman,” Koch said.
“And as a coach he guided Port Adelaide in the AFL to three consecutive minor premierships from 2002 to 2004, of course culminating in arguably our club’s greatest achievement, the 2004 AFL premiership.
“The legacy he’s left at our club is profound and he’ll forever be remembered as the coach who guided us to our first AFL flag.
“Mark’s passion and enthusiasm for the game is infectious. He continues to give back to the game and just wants to make everyone better. He remains one of the great teachers of Australian football.”
-AAP
