AFL draft 2021: East Fremantle teenager Jack Williams proves he’s a Jack of all trades

This East Fremantle draft prospect is quickly becoming a Jack of all trades. Athletic swingman Jack Williams showed AFL recruiters yet another side to his game in the Sharks’ season-opening win over Peel Thunder in Mandurah on Good Friday. With back-up ruck Trent Giles concussed early, East Fremantle colts coach Adrian Ricciardello was forced to think outside of the box for a pinch-hitter to give Kobe McMillan a chop-out. Williams, a 195cm talent, split his time between the forward-line and ruck, amassing 15 hit-outs to go with 19 possessions, six marks and 10 shots on goal including four majors. “He moved around the ground well and won his fair share of hit-outs,” Ricciardello said. MORE WAFL COLTS NEWS “He was our main target up forward as well as spending about 25 or 30 per cent of the game in the ruck.” Ricciardello isn’t afraid to throw Williams into different positions, with the Rossmoyne product starting his bottom-aged colts campaign as a defender before swinging into attack. The 17-year-old had a purple patch of eight goals in three games including 4.2 against fellow finalists West Perth in round six. “I probably see him as a natural forward with the way he attacks the ball and his leap,” Ricciardello said. Williams is one of four West Aussies in the AFL Academy alongside Swan Districts utility Rhett Bazzo, Subiaco midfielder Matt Johnson and Claremont forward Jacob van Rooyen. The quartet will feature in the Academy’s clash against Geelong’s VFL side on April 24. Josh Browne was another massive performer for the Sharks in round one, with a game-high 27 disposals, five tackles and a pair of clutch final-quarter goals to help his team win a thriller. Browne is rated among WA’s best midfield prospects. “I thought he was our best,” Ricciardello said. “He won a lot of the footy, his defensive work was excellent and he had a massive influence in the final quarter.” East Fremantle will be without important midfielder Sam Emery and Giles, due to the new 12-day concussion protocol, for Saturday’s clash against reigning premiers Subiaco at home. Emery has had a flare up of a medial injury in his knee at the weekend but is expected to be right for the following round.