Ex-Power coach Mark Williams explains iconic grand final photo as he enters AFL Hall of
Port Adelaide‘s only AFL premiership coach Mark Williams has used his Hall of Fame induction to issue an emotional call to fight racism in the sport – and explained what led to one of the most iconic images in Power history.
In a passionate and wide-ranging speech at Melbourne‘s Crown Casino, the life-long 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.
Mark Williams (pictured) has used his stirring Hall of Fame induction to advocate for Indigenous footballers and a ‘Yes’ vote with an emotional speech
Williams says that things were very hard for him and his family at the time of his famous tie-choking gesture after Port’s breakthrough AFL premiership
‘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.
‘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.’
The iconic image from Port’s breakthrough AFL premiership was Williams’ mock tie-choking gesture after the siren.
Williams reflected on just how tough things were for him and his family at that time in his life.
‘We were getting a lot of flack, it was hard living in Adelaide. Walking down the streets, my family was getting bullied and abused,’ he said.
‘People see the pulling of the tie and try and understand it. (But) If you walked a mile in my shoes or theirs (my family), you would understand how difficult it was.
‘To everyone’s credit, the Port Adelaide players, staff and board — everyone stuck together really closely. We worked on it and worked on it and kept going and kept believing in ourselves and finally got there.’
Three-time Geelong premiership heroes Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright have become the latest Cats legends to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Ex-Geelong star Jimmy Bartel was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Cats legend Corey Enright was also inducted into the Hall of Fame
The pair both ended their playing careers at the end of the 2016 season following Geelong’s preliminary-final loss to the Sydney Swans.
Despite ending their time with the Cats on a low, Bartel and Enright played a central role in an extraordinary period of success for the regional Victorian club.
The dynamic duo starred in Geelong’s 2007 premiership, the club’s first in 44 years, before being part of further grand-final success in 2009 and 2011.
A courageous midfielder, Bartel was awarded the 2007 Brownlow Medal and took out the Norm Smith Medal for his best-on-ground performance in the 2011 grand-final win over Collingwood.
Now a respected media analyst and a GWS board member, Bartel finished his career with 305 games and 202 goals.
Enright remains one of the greatest defenders in modern AFL history, named All-Australian six times, including in his final season.
Geelong should continue to dominate the Hall of Fame intake in coming years with fellow premiership greats such as Gary Ablett Jnr, Steve Johnson, Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins almost certain to be included when they become eligible.
One of Bartel and Enright’s former adversaries, Sam Mitchell, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame after a stellar four-premiership career for Hawthorn, followed by a one-season stint at West Coast.
Sam Mitchell was also inducted into the Hall of Fame after an outstanding four-premiership career for Hawthorn, followed by a short stint at West Coast
Broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, he voice of football to many Aussies, was also inducted
Mitchell skippered the Hawks’ 2008 grand-final victory over Geelong, before handing the captaincy reins over to Luke Hodge ahead of the 2011 season.
Hawthorn added to their premiership cabinet with a 2013-15 flag three-peat.
Mitchell was retrospectively crowned a joint winner of the 2012 Brownlow Medal after Essendon’s Jobe Watson gave up his award following the Bombers’ supplements saga.
Now coaching Hawthorn after taking over from his long-time mentor Alastair Clarkson at the end of 2021, Mitchell finished with 329 games and is a five-time Hawks best-and-fairest winner.
Port Adelaide’s only AFL premiership coach Mark Williams received a belated induction, 13 years after he stepped away from the Power.
Williams enjoyed an illustrious playing career in the SANFL with Port Adelaide, before taking his talents to the VFL/AFL at Collingwood and Brisbane.
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder confirmed St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt had accepted an invitation into the Hall of Fame.
However, the former Saints captain is living in the United States with his family this year and will be officially inducted when he returns to Australia.
2023 AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, West Coast)
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
Corey Enright (Geelong)
Michael Aish (Norwood, SANFL)
Tom Leahy (West Adelaide, North Adelaide SANFL)
Bruce McAvaney (broadcaster)
Mark Williams (Port Adelaide as player and coach, Collingwood, Brisbane)