Mark L. Williams (born 13 April 1983) is an indigenous Australian rules footballer who currently plays with Essendon, he was recruited from Hawthorn in the 2009 Trade Week period. He is not to be confused with Mark M. Williams, the Port Adelaide coach and former Collingwood and Brisbane Bears Australian rules footballer.

Making his debut in 2002 after being drafted at Pick 43 in the 2000 AFL Draft, Williams is a small forward, and came of age in 2005 when he was used as a small full forward where he kicked 63 goals, making him the leading goal kicker of the club. Known for his flamboyance, pace, and use of the "shotgun" (a trademark celebration sometimes used after kicking a goal) Williams was one of a number of young players at Hawthorn.

During the 2006 season, Williams has done away with the "shotgun" and produced the "slicer", a cutting motion done using his hand.

Williams finished 2006 with a total of 60 goals, and once again was the leading goalkicker at the club. A knee injury cut short his 2007 season after only four games leaving him stranded on 13 goals.

Williams attracted controversy in 2008 when he made a choking gesture targeted at the Port Adelaide coaching staff and its' head coach, Mark M. Williams. The Hawthorn player was warned that he would be shown the door if such action occurred again. He did apologize to the Port Adelaide coach after the game.

In the 2008 Grand Final Williams and Stuart Dew kick four goals in 3 minutes to put Hawthorn in a winning position late in the third quarter.

The 2009 season Williams injured his knee and missed many games.

The 2009 post-season trade week has seen Mark Williams traded to Essendon in a complex trade involving four clubs.

[edit] External links

• Mark L. Williams profile on the Official AFL Website of the Hawthorn Football Club
• Mark L. Williams's statistics from AFL Tables

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