FOR former star midfielder Greg Williams, deciding who to barrack for during Friday night’s match between the Swans and Carlton is a tricky proposition.
 
Williams is a Hall of Fame inductee at both the Swans and Carlton. He won a Brownlow medal with the Swans in 1986, and repeated that feat with the Blues in 1994.

With the second Swans Hall of Fame induction to take place on Saturday night in Sydney, Williams will be one of many Hall of Fame members from the inaugural 2009 induction, watching on in the stands at the SCG this Friday.

Though Williams admits that 109 matches , a premiership,  Norm Smith and Brownlow medals will always mean he has a soft spot for the Blues, this Friday night he is a Swan through and through.

“It’s difficult, I played in a premiership at Carlton and that is a real draw to that Club. I live in Victoria and all of my kids barrack for Carlton, but I have a great affiliation with the Swans and I really cherish the time I had there,” Williams said.

“Given the significance of the weekend, I think I’ll be in the Swans corner on Friday night.

“It’s tough to pick a winner though. The Swans are going well and have had some great comeback wins this season. The Swans really have had the wood over Carlton for a number of years, so hopefully they can get over the line on Friday night,” he said.

In his six year stint with the Swans from 1986 to 1991, Williams rates fellow 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Gerard Healy as the best player he lined up with.

According to Williams, there are many outstanding players to have worn the red and white who will be in contention for Hall of Fame recognition on Saturday night at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The difficult thing in speculating about the Hall of Fame is that the criteria is set at such a high standard,’’ he said.

“I played with Barry Mitchell, Tony Morwood and Warwick Capper and they are all fantastic players in their own right and would be deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame.’’

Though long departed from the Swans at the time, Williams recalls the 2005 premiership win under Paul Roos as a memorable day that is bound to throw up a Hall of Famer or two.  “Players like Brett Kirk and Michael O’Loughlin, who were instrumental in that 2005 premiership season would obviously be very fitting Hall of Fame inductees,” Williams said.

“It was actually a big day for me. I was only a little part of the Swans, spending six years there, but when they won that Grand Final I think everyone who had been at the Club really felt pride in having a little part in helping them get there.”

In retirement, Williams has traded in his footy boots in favour of golf clubs. He has recently purchased the Barwon Heads Resort at Thirteenth Beach, a 38 room resort and conference centre set on two pristine 18-hole golf courses on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, approximately 30 minutes from Geelong. 

Williams, an avid golfer who is currently off a handicap of eight, welcomes any Swans fans who are planning a golf holiday to get in touch. Details can be found at www.barwonheadsresort.com.au.