An unexpected figure has joined Australia’s cricket camp shrouded in history ahead of the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test against India.
AFL premiership coach Mark Williams, a legendary figure in the AFL, was seen at the MCG sporting a Cricket Australia polo during the team’s main training session.
Williams, 66, is best known for leading Port Adelaide to their first AFL premiership in 2004.
Over his extensive coaching career, he has amassed 273 games as a senior coach, including stints with Melbourne, GWS, and Richmond.
Currently, he serves as the head of development at Melbourne, where he played a pivotal role in their 2021 premiership victory.
Although he hasn’t been a senior AFL coach since 2010, Williams remains a respected mentor in Australian sport.
Mark Williams is a celebrated AFL Player and coach and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame
He has been spotted with the Australian cricket team ahead of the Boxing Day Test
‘He’s been great for us,’ Melbourne premiership player Ben Brown said.
‘The way he’s fitted in with the overall mentality of the coaching group, I think everyone’s really enjoyed having him around the club.
‘He brings an amazing amount of enthusiasm to football. I think the game is better to have Choco Williams involved.’
Williams’s contributions to Australian football were honored this year when he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
His illustrious playing career at Collingwood saw him captain the club from 1983 to 1986 and earn multiple accolades, including the Copeland Trophy in 1981 and 1985.
Collingwood’s club president Jeff Browne said Williams has left a lasting legacy on the club.
‘The Collingwood faithful loved him from the moment he first pulled on the black-and-white jumper – he gave it absolutely everything every time he played, and his commitment never wavered,’ he said.
Williams is not the first AFL coach to join the cricket team during a key Test series.
The Aussies have made several changes to their squad including bringing in fast bowler Jhye Richardson
Stuart Dew, the former Gold Coast Suns coach, has previously been seen with the Australian cricket team as well
In 2023, former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew appeared with the Australian team in England during the Ashes.
Dew, a close friend of Travis Head, was seen in full Australian training gear at Old Trafford, even inspecting the pitch before a net session.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins welcomed Dew’s presence, jokingly remarking, ‘It’s good Stuey could get on a holiday over here.
‘He knows a few of the boys quite well, so it’s good to have him around.’
As Australia gears up for the fourth Test, all eyes will be on the MCG, where 19-year-old Sam Konstas is set to make history.
Konstas, replacing Nathan McSweeney in the squad, will become Australia’s youngest Test opener since 1929.
At 19 years and 85 days, the New South Wales prodigy will surpass Archie Jackson’s 95-year record for the youngest Australian to open in a Test.
Jackson famously scored 164 on debut, and Australia will be hoping for a similar performance from Konstas.
India’s preparations have been marred by concerns over Rohit Sharma, who sustained a knee injury during training.
Despite the setback, team officials remain optimistic about the skipper’s availability for the match.
