Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

[Bulldog4life]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/western-bulldogs-likely-to-include-tom-williams-in-revamped-forward-line-20140130-31pps.h

The Western Bulldogs and Tom Williams have together decided he is a ''born forward'' and will use him in that role as Brendan McCartney's makeover of that area of the ground continues.

Kicking a winning score on a regular basis has been the club's main problem during McCartney's tenure, but there is growing optimism that the addition of Stewart Crameri, a resurgent Liam Jones and a healthy Williams could give the Dogs a winning mix.

Williams has played the majority of his seven-year career as a key defender, but he showed signs of coming on as a forward when the switch was made just before his latest stretch of bad injury luck.

"He's a fantastic athlete, we probably haven't seen him at his absolute best in any year that he's been out there,'' said Brett Montgomery, the Dogs' senior assistant coach.

''He loves [playing forward]. He thinks he was born to be a forward … he has all the attributes, so that's the main thing.''

Williams is training strongly but has been held back at times, with the Dogs mindful of the injury issues which have resulted in the 27-year-old playing just five games over the past two years.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Music to my ears. Always felt he would find AFL easier as a forward than a back. He won't have to worry about mainly negating an opponent rather he can celebrate what he and his attributes can do to make life hell for his opponent. He has a good work ethic and with his athleticism, he can present, present and keep presenting. Good kicking action so should be pretty reliable from the set shot. Most importantly - he believes in himself as a forward. We may not have seen the best of him yet and I'm excited.

[The Underdog]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

I have no faith in him being on the field for more than 50% of the season, but definitely happy to see him go forward. Think we have enough options down back now to release him. Not sure where it leaves Campbell/2nd ruck position. Think Williams is capable of spelling in the ruck, just not a good option for him physically.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

I like the idea of him going forward.

Another big body who has shown he can be effective on the lead in the brief stints he's played there.

[Greystache]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

It'll probably be a moot point anyway as history shows he'll get injured again, but I'm happy that when he plays it'll be as a forward. He's shown a bit of ability as a forward, where as a defender he's looked well out of his depth at AFL level.

[GVGjr]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

My preference is for him to play as a key defender but if they have a plan that has him working in with Crameri and Jones then it's worth a go.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

The love / hate time of the year...

I love this time of the year, full stop. But the annual tease of the media wafting Shaun and Tommy around like they will play 22 games as a key player, is like Chrissy says, a fine line between pleasure and pain.

[jeemak]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

It'll probably be a moot point anyway as history shows he'll get injured again, but I'm happy that when he plays it'll be as a forward. He's shown a bit of ability as a forward, where as a defender he's looked well out of his depth at AFL level.

Whilst in other instances showing he's perfectly capable as a defender.

Tom's problem is of course, continuity. I know you get it just as much as I do.

I really struggle to see how Tom will ever move out of the pure learning and development phase of his career. At 27 we should be seeing the best of him.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Yep^^

[Mofra]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Tom looks great whenever get gets an extended run at AFL level - unfortunately that hasn't been too often.

[Bornadog]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

I have never liked the idea of Williams going to the forward line. I can't see the point if he has played the majority of games in the backline, and is still only 27 years old. Its easy to switch very young players and mold them into a position, but this to me is not the right decision. We need a good strong (sort of )CHB and we have one, why move him?

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

I have never liked the idea of Williams going to the forward line. I can't see the point if he has played the majority of games in the backline, and is still only 27 years old. Its easy to switch very young players and mold them into a position, but this to me is not the right decision. We need a good strong (sort of ) CHB and we have one, why move him?

Because he seems to be potentially better as a forward, better suited to it and if he becomes a better player as a forward, offers a lot more potency to the forward line and the team. I always felt he was made to play CHB to learn the game of AFL. He's done his apprenticeship and now he can start his own business.

[Mantis]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Seems there will be a fair amount of competition for a spot up forward.. amongst talls, mids & smalls.

Can't be a bad thing.

[Bornadog]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Because he seems to be potentially better as a forward,

Based on what?

[lemmon]

Re: Western Bulldogs likely to include Tom Williams in revamped forward line

Based on what?

Agree, I always thought he was highly underrated as a defender, can go with anyone athletically, got a fist in more often than not and is a seriously good kick of the footy coming out of the backline