Mark Williams (Past Senior Coach)

[blackdiamond]

Coach: Mark Williams, drafted by Janus and also allocated to Paralowiepower for the 2008 season.

Date of Birth: 21st August 1958

Nickname: Choco

Contract Details: Contracted until the end of 2009

Coaching Record: 215 games (130 wins, 83 losses, 2 draws), includes 17 finals and one premiership

Playing Career: West Adelaide (1976-78, 64 games, 37 goals), Port Adelaide (1979-80 & 1990-92, 115 games, 104 goals), Collingwood (1981-86, 135 games, 178 goals), Brisbane (1987-90, 66 games, 58 goals)

State of Origin: Played 8 state of origin games for South Australia (10 goals) and 1 for Victoria (1 goal)


2007 Coaching Statistics

Games: 25

Won: 17

Lost: 8


More info on Mark Williams

Playing career

SANFL

Williams playing career began in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) at West Adelaide (where his father Fos Williams was coaching). He represented West Adelaide on 64 occasions for 37 goals.

Williams then moved to the Port Adelaide Magpies. He played 115 games and kicked 104 goals and flourished as a player, becoming one of the stars of the SANFL.

VFL

Williams was then recruited by Collingwood, making his Victorian Football League (VFL) debut in the 1981 season. He rose to the position of captain of the club during the mid-1980s.

After the 1986 season he joined the playing list of the newly-founded Brisbane Bears in the newly formed Australian Football League (AFL). At Brisbane he was appointed vice-captain to Mark Mickan. Williams played 4 seasons before retiring from the Bears during the 1990 season. He returned to the SANFL to play for Port Adelaide.

Coaching career

After his playing days were completed he coached Glenelg in 1993 and 1994 before joining Essendon for 1995 and 1996 as an assistant coach. When Port Adelaide entered the AFL he moved back to where he finished his playing days as the assistant coach and in 1999 won the head coaching role at Port Adelaide, replacing John Cahill. Port Adelaide topped the ladder at the end of 2002 and 2003, but losses in finals ruined their chances of winning the premiership. However in 2004 they again topped the ladder and Williams became Port Adelaide's first AFL premiership-winning coach, with the team defeating the Brisbane Lions. Port Adelaide suffered the worst ever Grand Final Defeat in the 2007 Grand Final at the hands of Geelong by 119 points.

Footballing dynasty

Williams comes from a large and intensely proud footballing dynasty, closely aligned with Port. His father, the late Fos Williams, is often referred to as the father of the Port Adelaide Football Club.

Personal life

Mark is married to Pauline and they have 5 children, Marcus 16, Georgina 14, Isaac 11, Louis 8 and Isabelle. On Friday, September 7, 2007, during the last quarter of the second qualifying final against the West Coast Eagles, Mark's wife Pauline went into labour. Mark did not have time to celebrate the thrilling three point win with his team, instead he was driven away in a car waiting outside. Mark's 5th Child named Isabelle Veronica was born at 1.36am Saturday 8th September.


Highlight Reel

[youtube]0yK1vwgX9JE[/youtube]

 

[Janus]

Re: Coach: Mark Williams

From what I'm reading on the training reports, it seems that Choco really IS one of the best coaches in the league, if not the best. Why? Well, unlike a certain stubborn someone in the vicinity of West Lakes, Mark likes to try new things, tweaking game plans etc. I'll give my thoughts on these throughout the year, and I hope others will too.

I'm a big fan of the running out of the backlines in waves - it was a painful experience in the GF to watch one player try to take on the entire Geelong team and cough up the ball time after time. This way, Choco has given the players options so that they aren't pigeonholed. Whether this gameplan can transfer over to match conditions remains to be seen, but I can't believe that it won't.

The only thing this does do is leave us exposed at the back - if the ball is turned over, there won't be as many players back to cover. But then again, the way the game is being played these days, a turnover will lead to a goal anyway, and I'd rather the support be there to ensure that it doesn't happen.

P.S Don't come invading this thread just because your buddy got dragged or isn't playing

 

[blackdiamond]

Re: Coach: Mark Williams

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Re: Coach: Mark Williams

Choco with Cameron Falloon at training in December 2008

 

[Pakeha]

Re: Coach: Mark Williams

Looks like Falloon may be getting Choco into the gym a bit more too. Looking a lot trimmer than in the most recent seasons. I really hope he has a good season this year (obviously because it will help the team) but also because I think he's one dedicated coach that has always tried things out of the square for success (possibly learnt from Sheeds when he was under him). Not all things have succeeded but I don't think he's that stubborn "you do it my way or else" bloke that he is often portayed to be. I wish all the best to your buddy.

EDIT: my son played for the Port Maggies Interzone side against Isaac's school team last season and Mark and Stephen were there watching. They applauded all the youngsters and my boy was BOG for our team even tho we lost. My lad commented after "do you think he'll remember me in the future ?" Had to have a bit of a laugh, but it was good that Mark and Stephen commented on the kids. Gave them a boost. Good family stuff.

 

[Powerstufff]

Re: Coach: Mark Williams

Looks like Falloon may be getting Choco into the gym a bit more too. Looking a lot trimmer than in the most recent seasons.....

I was thinking that when I saw him at the AGM. Good to see. I'm not far off Chocco's age, and I'm fighting the same battle.

...I don't think he's that stubborn "you do it my way or else" bloke that he is often portayed to be......

He's a very forceful personality. I've had a couple of brief words with him (as have 10.000 others) at club functions. One post game discussion went for about 5 min and believe me you want to have your facts at your fingertips and correct.
He has to be a fair bit "you do it my way or else" to have done what he has done. There is no room for a facilitator as an AFL senior coach. But he's not an obstinate fool.

 

[Power Pete]

Mark Williams (Coach)