Plenty more to come from returning GWS defender
GWS Giants
By Adrian Warren
GWS defender Zac Williams expects to improve a lot on a promising first-up performance, in a successful and emotional return to AFL action after almost a year on the sidelines.
Williams made his long awaited and much anticipated comeback in Saturday's 49-point elimination final win over Sydney at the SCG.
Seamless: Despite his long layoff, defender Zac Williams (right) was solid for the Giants. Credit:AAP
It was his first senior game since a preliminary final almost 12 months ago.
He ruptured an Achilles tendon in mid-January and had two NEAFL games last month, before being pitched into the cauldron of a finals derby.
The dashing half-back flanker handled the rise in intensity, racking up nine touches in the first quarter and 23 for the game.
Williams added nine marks and four tackles as GWS held Sydney to a score of just 4.6 (30), their lowest ever total at the SCG.
They stamped themselves as a genuine September threat heading into a semi-final against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday.
Asked where he ranked the win over Sydney out of all those he had been part of, Williams said: "It's definitely right up there, but I think it's just more emotional.
"Because I sat out the whole year and I always said to myself I'd get back for the end of the year, but with the long-term injury you just never know."
Williams plans on assisting his teammates more over the remainder of their finals campaign after they did their bit to ease him back.
"The boys helped me out a lot and they were just giving the footy to me every chance they got," Williams said.
"There was a few moments there when I was huffing and puffing, but I think that was just getting back used to the tempo, but I felt great out there.
"I feel like I can improve a lot, just trying to help my teammates out.
"This is my sixth year in the system, I played finals over the last couple of years, so I've got to bring that experience and that communication."
GWS coach Leon Cameron lauded the efforts of his returning quartet of Williams, Brett Deledio, Matt de Boer and especially Toby Greene, who logged three goals, 27 touches and nine marks.
"They all contributed in a manner like they'd played for a month,'" Cameron said.