The Port Adelaide Football Club congratulates inaugural AFL premiership coach and four-time premiership player Mark Williams on becoming the club’s 16th inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame tonight.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch lauded Williams for an incredible career both as a player and coach that was destined to be recognised on Australian football’s most regarded honour board.
“The club is delighted for Mark and his family on tonight’s most worthy induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame,” Mr 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.
“Along with his three siblings, Mark was born into our 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.
“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.
“We thank Mark for his amazing contribution to the Port Adelaide Football Club and to football in general.
“It is most fitting that Mark has now joined his legendary father Fos in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
“We extend our warmest congratulations to Mark and his family on this wonderful recognition.”
After 64 games for West Adelaide from 1976 to 1978, Williams debuted for Port Adelaide in 1979 and was a member of Port Adelaide’s 1979 premiership team.
He was a key contributor in Port Adelaide’s dominant 1980 premiership winning team and was selected in the All-Australian team for his outstanding national carnival.
Williams then transferred to Collingwood in 1981. He played 135 games for the Victorian Magpies winning the Copeland Trophy in 1981 and 1985 as the club’s best-and-fairest player. Williams also captained the club from 1983 to 1986.
At the end of 1986, Williams went north to Queensland as vice-captain of the Brisbane Bears’ inaugural team.
After 66 games with the Bears, Williams returned home to Alberton in 1990 as a premiership player later that year and again in 1992 in his final game of League football.
Upon his retirement as a player, Williams coached Glenelg in the SANFL in 1993 and 1994 before moving to Essendon as an assistant under Kevin Sheedy.
Williams returned to Alberton at the end of 1996 as assistant coach to John Cahill for Port Adelaide’s entry to the AFL.
He took over as senior coach of Port Adelaide at the end of 1998 coaching the club in 273 AFL games from 1999 to 2010, including the 2004 premiership.
MARK WILLIAMS
Born: August 21, 1958
Played: 115 games for Port Adelaide (1979-80 and 1990-93).
Also represented: West Adelaide 64 games (1976-1978), Collingwood 135 games (1981-1986), Brisbane Bears 66 games (1987-1990), South Australia eight games and Victoria once.
Goals: 104 for Port Adelaide, 37 for West Adelaide, 178 for Collingwood and 58 for Brisbane
Coached: 273 games for Port Adelaide (1999-2010) with 150 wins, 121 losses and two draws
Honours - Port Adelaide premierships (4): 1979, 1980, 1990 and 1992; All-Australian, 1980; Collingwood captain 1983-1986; Collingwood best-and-fairest 1981 and 1985; Port Adelaide AFL premiership coach 2004; Port Adelaide Football Club Football Hall of Fame; Australian Football Hall of Fame
