Paul Williams was born on the 3rd April 1973 and debuted in the AFL in 1991. He was originally recruited from North Hobart where he played at least one season of senior football prior to being drafted.
He became the fifth Magpie to join the Swans since Rodney Eade
started his coaching career. The hard-running former Magpie quickly established himself as an excellent acquisition and won the best and fairest award in his first season at his new club. The 28-year-old veteran polled 176 votes, four more than fellow midfielder Stuart Maxfield with defender Ben Mathews a further three behind.
Now Paul is a veteran, but he remains a key to the Swans'
fortunes.
A brilliant ball-winner with superb delivery, he was troubled for much of 2004
by a foot injury, but still posed problems for most sides. His importance was
underlined in the second quarter of the semi-final against St Kilda when he was
sidelined by a hip injury and, without him, Sydney was unable to generate drive
around the packs.
At Collingwood, he was playing off half-back, in the middle and up forward, but was unable to find his best form in any position during 2000.
He said ''I sat down with Neil Balme and said I felt it was time, I needed to go. He said they didn't want me to go,'' Williams said.
''I don't know if I was getting stale or what, but I just didn't feel like I was getting the best out of myself there. I felt if I made a move I might get a new lease of life.
''Balmey was really good and the club was really good about it.''
With good friends in Daryn Cresswell and Paul Kelly in Sydney, Williams' preferred option was the Swans, so when a deal could be struck it was ideal.
''I said if I wait one more year, you are probably not going to get much for me,'' he said.
''I wanted to make sure if I left they got something for me. They ended up getting two draft picks and they got Clement and Holland for one pick. I am not sure who else they got, but both those players have been good for them.
''The other reason I decided to do it then was, basically, I wanted to not just come to a club for only a year. I wanted to give them a bit of service, give them 100 games.
''It was never an issue of how I was used. It was never an issue of Mick Malthouse; I got on really well with Mick. He was always a tremendous coach. But the body, and more so my mind, wanted to get out of there."
After moving to Sydney in 2001 Paul played all 23 games, including his first final since 1994, booted 25 goals and amassed 425 disposals. Williams emulated the 2000 feat of former Collingwood team mate Andrew Schauble, who also won the Bob Skilton Medal in his first year with Sydney.
He provided great drive in the midfield and across half-forward.
He has always enjoyed a good record at the SCG before joining the Swans and that affinity with the venue has continued.
Williams is a player who thrives on hard work on the track, although his progress has been hampered by stress injuries in his legs. He can kick goals, play in the midfield or even do a job running off half-back. Has explosive pace, can bust a game open with his goalkicking power and is also a ferocious tackler. A leader who is missed at Collingwood, he still has good football ahead of him.
