Former AFL Premiership Coach Mark Williams has joined Hawthorn as its AFLW Head of Development.  

Williams, who has been a widely respected figure in the footy world for more than four decades, has spent the past five seasons with Melbourne as AFL Head of Development, which included the Club’s 2021 premiership.  

Williams notably led Port Adelaide to its first AFL Premiership in 2004. He was named the AFL Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year in the same season, before more recently being recognised as Development Coach of the Year in 2023.  

Prior to his decorated coaching career, Williams played 286 games in VFL/AFL with Collingwood (178 games) and the Brisbane Bears (58 games). He served as Captain at the Magpies from 1983-1986, as well as claiming two Best and Fairests (1981 & 1985).  

Williams' extraordinary service to the game was recognised in 2023 when he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. 

Hawthorn General Manager of AFLW Keegan Brooksby welcomed Williams to the Club. 

“We are thrilled to add a person of Mark’s calibre to our football club, he will benefit our program immensely,” Brooksby said.  

“With almost five decades in football, Mark’s experience speaks for itself. He is an expert at building relationships and cultivating environments where players thrive.” 

“His renowned energetic and enthusiastic nature will inspire our program to get better each day, and we look forward to welcoming Mark to the football club.”