Zac Williams | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

The off-season acquisition. This was the singing which all Blues fans thought would propel Carlton into finals football. He was everything we needed. Pace, good ball use, finals experience, versatility. Everything seemed to be coming up Milhouse as Zac Williams was announced a Blues in the off-season. He stated he came here to play midfield minutes, and that’s where we all wanted him to play, and knew he could. He made his debut in round 2 against Collingwood and having a fine game. Nothing to complain about considering it was his first game at his new club. The signs were there. He was dashing past players with ease, he was hitting up targets inside 50 with class and silk, it was almost too good to be true. But then, it went downhill. 

He was in and out of the side through injury, playing this week but not the next. He didn’t really improve from his Collingwood performance, having middling performances since, then came the Weston Bulldogs game. 9 possessions later and no impact on the game, out the midfield he went, back to the half-back flank. He went from having 10 clearances in his first game - to 8 from round 8 onwards. It was a sad indictment of the season that Carlton had, started with promise, then faded into nothingness. While the flashes of brilliance were still there, that was overshadowed by a lack of defensive running, undisciplined suspensions and a poor work ethic which had Jonathan Brown labelling him as the ‘Laziest player in the game’. It’s a shame the season he has had, considering the expectations that were brought upon him. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

This was one of Williams’ very few good performances this year. Which occurred in round 15 against the Crows. The Blues desperately needed to win, and the big money import stepped up when his club needed him too. After a very disappointing performance the week prior against his former club, the scrutiny was coming from all angles, and he needed to perform. 

He had 26 touches, 8 intercept possessions, 6 score involvements, 626 metres gained, 5 inside 50’s, 6 rebound 50’s and 1 goal. On a cool winter’s night, Williams finally had a game that we all thought he would have regularly. He provided drive and pace off the half-back line as well as using his elite ball use to penetrate inside 50. He alongside Adam Saad, both had very good games, playing the same position. This provided an interesting dynamic where the Crows couldn't shut out both players at once, leaving one loose at all times. When both players are firing, this is an avenue that could be explored deeper, to get the best out of our two-star recruits. This was his equal high possession tally of the year, with 61% of those coming in the defensive half of the ground. 

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

He has one more pre-season to get it right, otherwise, he’s a half-back flanker. This is his last chance to get fit enough to play in the midfield. We all know how good a player he is. He provides speed and dash, as well as grunt and good ball use. He would be the perfect midfielder; is he can get his tank right. He has shown glimpses of the ‘Balenciaga’ football he can play, it’s just that he is too undisciplined to be able to pull it off consistently. 

Granted, being constantly in and out of the side with injuries doesn’t help. This messes up continuity and potential purple patches which can propel a player’s career. However, with the Adam Cerra acquisition very close to happening, these are more midfield minutes passing him by because he isn’t fit enough. I can’t help but imagine that Williams is desperate to play alongside Cerra, in the same midfield. He can only do that, if he puts his head down, and gets to work. Because the talent is there, but the discipline, is not. Otherwise, it would be hard to counter that this has been an 800k bust. 

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

D

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

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