Having undergone a shoulder reconstruction only two weeks earlier, being drafted to an AFL club seemed highly unlikely for Williams. However, a phone call from List Manager, Adrian Dodoro, confirmed that Williams had secured a place on Essendon’s senior list.
""I was really surprised,"" Williams said.
""I definitely didn’t expect anything so when I got a call from the club saying that I was heading to Essendon, I was just over the moon.
""If anything, I thought I would have been picked up on a rookie list because I had this thought in my mind that the pre-season draft was more for recycled players and the very best of the young kids.
""It was definitely a surprise to be added to the senior list and it makes me want to work that much harder to really make the most out of the experience.""
The excitement surrounding the drafting of Williams only grew upon receiving a phone call from Essendon Premiership player Dustin Fletcher.
""It was a really big surprise actually,"" Williams said.
""I was just at a friend’s place and this number came up that I didn’t recognise and answered it to find out it was Dustin Fletcher.
""I was taken back for a few seconds and had to gather my thoughts for a little bit but it was great.
""It is a good feeling because I don’t really know anyone down there to then get a call from a senior player makes you feel really welcome.""
Eager to make the move interstate, Williams is enthusiastic about taking the step up to AFL level.
""I am really looking forward to the professionalism of AFL football and just being in the best possible hands when it comes to preparation and rehab,"" Williams said.
""I have been keeping track of what is going on via the Essendon website but I am really looking forward to getting into it.
""I’m also really looking forward to meeting all of the guys down there and getting stuck into training.""
Although hesitant to put a timeframe on just when he might take to the main stage, Williams is confident that hard work and dedication to his football will pay off in the long-term.
""I don’t think I can put a set date or round on it,"" Williams said.
""I just want to get my shoulder right and get into training and work as hard as I can.
""I guess I will just assess the situation then as to if and when I might be able to play the game at senior level but in the meantime I will just make the most of the experience.""
Meanwhile the Essendon team is currently on a five-day preseason camp in Tasmania. Highlights of their trip will be shown on Bomber.tv soon.
