Promising youngster Jack Williams says West Coast is determined to build on the momentum of a come-from-behind win over Gold Coast and finish the 2024 campaign in strong fashion.
Williams has been one of the Eagles’ success stories this year, providing ruck support and showing his football smarts in attack.
The 20-year-old has 15 goals from as many games this year, including a brilliant snapped major that helped ignite the Eagles during the third quarter against the Suns.
Williams' eight-disposal term also featured a strong effort in the ruck against Suns giant Jarrod Witts, and his craft in dual roles has turned heads more than his pure statistical impact this year.
“I think I’m building with confidence in every game that I’m playing out there,” Williams said.
“I’ve been really happy with how I’m going. Just think I’m settling into my role as that second ruck and playing forward.
“We’ve had a mix of forward line in the last couple of weeks and we’ve got a bunch of big boys in there at the moment, but I think it’s really working well.”
Williams has played in each of West Coast’s four wins this year and could feel the positivity flowing after upsetting the Suns to snap a nine-game losing streak for Jarrad Schofield’s first triumph.
“He deserves it. He’s put in a mountain of work since he’s transitioned into the role. He was really happy, as were the boys. We were happy for him as well,” Williams said of the interim coach.
“It was great to get the win. We felt like we were building the last couple of weeks, especially against Freo when played a good first half.
“But we were able to put it all together and get a good win on Friday.
“Obviously (Clay) ‘Hally’ had his debut and a couple of the other young guys played really well – Tyrell (Dewar) and Harvey (Johnston), even Reuben (Ginbey) down back.
“It’s great having all these young boys, there’s lots of energy in the group and when we’re out there the communication is high and we felt good playing together.”
Williams missed the Eagles’ round 13 loss to North Melbourne when the home team roared back but fell short by nine points at Optus Stadium.
West Coast is facing a rare trip to Hobart for the first time since 2018 to take on the Roos and is eager to build on the Gold Coast triumph.
“I think we’ve got to play consistently now and keep this momentum up,” Williams said.
“From that game (last time against North), I didn’t play that game, but we started slow and we didn’t capitalise on our opportunities, so hopefully we can make the most of our scoring shots in the game coming up.
“It’s all about playing a consistent four quarters, which is what we want to look to in the last couple of weeks.”
