Mystery as footy great appears to have landed a role with the Aussie cricket team just before the Boxing Day Test
An unexpected figure has joined Australia’s cricket camp shrouded in history ahead of the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test against India.
AFL premiership coach Mark Williams, a legendary figure in the AFL, was spotted at the MCG wearing a Cricket Australia polo during the team’s main training session.
Williams, 66, is best known for leading Port Adelaide to their first AFL premiership in 2004.
During his extensive coaching career he has amassed 273 appearances as a senior coach, including spells at Melbourne, GWS and Richmond.
He is currently head of development at Melbourne, where he played a crucial role in the 2021 premiership win.
Although he has not been a senior AFL coach since 2010, Williams remains a respected mentor in Australian sport.
Mark Williams is a celebrated AFL player and coach and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame
He has been spotted with the Australian cricket team ahead of the Boxing Day Test
“He’s been great for us,” Melbourne Premier Ben Brown said.
‘The way he fits in with the general mentality of the coaching group, I think everyone really enjoyed having him at the club.
‘He brings an astonishing amount of enthusiasm to football. I think the game is better when Choco Williams is involved.”
Williams’ contributions to Australian football were honored this year when he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
During his illustrious playing career at Collingwood, he captained the club from 1983 to 1986 and earned several accolades, including the Copeland Trophy in 1981 and 1985.
Collingwood club chairman Jeff Browne said Williams left a lasting legacy to the club.
“The Collingwood faithful loved him from the moment he first pulled on the black and white jersey. “He gave absolutely everything every time he played, and his dedication never wavered,” he said.
Williams is not the first AFL coach to join the cricket team during a major Test series.
The Aussies have made several changes to their squad, including bringing in fast bowler Jhye Richardson
Former Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew also previously featured with the Australian cricket team
In 2023, former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew appeared with the Australian team in England during the Ashes.
Dew, a close friend of Travis Head, was seen at Old Trafford in full Australian training gear and even inspected the pitch before a net session.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins welcomed Dew’s presence, jokingly commenting: ‘It’s good that Stuey can holiday here.
“He knows some of the guys really well, so it’s nice to have him around.”
As Australia prepares for the fourth Test, all eyes will be on the MCG, where 19-year-old Sam Konstas will make history.
Konstas, who replaces Nathan McSweeney in the squad, becomes Australia’s youngest Test opener since 1929.
At 19 years and 85 days, the New South Wales prodigy will surpass Archie Jackson’s 95-year-old record for the youngest Australian to open a Test.
Jackson scored 164 on debut and Australia will be hoping for a similar performance from Konstas.
India’s preparations were marred by concerns over Rohit Sharma, who suffered a knee injury during training.
Despite the setback, team officials remain optimistic about the skipper’s availability for the match.