Tom Williams (Australian Footballer)

Tom Williams (Australian Footballer)

Tom Williams (born 17 July 1986) is an Australian rules footballer with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. Drafted with the 6th pick in the 2004 AFL Draft, Williams was a late convert to Australian Rules, having been an all-round sportsman, playing representative rugby union for Queensland in U-18s.

Tom's father Steve played for the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League between 1975 and 1976 and was a co-founder of the Brisbane Broncos.

Williams was identified as a talent by Mark Browning, former Sydney Swan turned AFL Queensland talent manager. He was rushed into the 2004 Under 18 championships having played just 15 games of Australian rules football, from which he was taken as the Bulldogs first round pick in the draft.

Despite having broken his ankle three times since joining the club, Williams has shown promise of becoming a key position defender, giving the club plenty of reason to keep him on the list.

Williams made his debut against Richmond in round 4 of the 2007 AFL season where the Bulldogs registered a victory against Richmond. Willams played well enough to earn a NAB Rising Star nomination in round 18.