The AFL suspended Primus for two matches after it was revealed he placed a $20 wager on the NAB Cup semi-final between Geelong and Carlton as part of a multi-bet that also involved two English Premier League games.
A goal umpire, a timekeeper and two interchange stewards were also stood down following a probe into gambling around the League, while Western Bulldogs club director Geoff Walsh was fined $7500.
Williams said he would look after the midfield group in Primus’ absence and also said assistant coach Dean Laidley would play a greater role.
“Matthew plays a major role during match day and him not being there makes it more difficult,” Williams said on Friday.
“We have some other people that are generally working in that area that will assist in filling that role and we’ll get through.
"Dean will be stepping up a little bit more and we also have our video analyst in the box, who works very closely with Matty. He’s been in all our meetings for the whole year, so he knows what’s going on.”
On Tuesday, Essendon coach Matthew Knights declared there was “no love lost” between the two sides, going on to say there was a lack of respect in both camps.
When asked about Knights’ inflammatory remarks Williams said he understood why the comments were made and used the opportunity to put the heat back on his own players.
“Having been in similar situations to Matthew at different times I know that coaches will try anything to try and get their players switched on and ready to go,” Williams said.
“Essendon is a fantastic club and they’re coming off a great win. We’re playing at Etihad Stadium where we haven’t played well, so there are a lot of things there for us to tick off.
“And it’s pretty obvious if you look at the changes we’ve made over the last six or seven weeks…we’ve swapped the side around significantly every week and players better be up and going or they won’t be playing next week.”
Emerging Power duo Travis Boak and Robbie Gray have been in the headlines this week, with media outlets linking the pair to the Gold Coast and also clubs in Victoria.
Both players have already publicly expressed their desire to stay at Alberton and Williams said he couldn’t do anything about the ongoing media speculation.
“That (speculation) is the reality of footy," Williams said. "It’s up to our club to provide an environment where they think they’re going to improve, a platform where they can show their talents and be involved in major games.
"That’s what we hope to be able to deliver in the very near future.”
