{"id":84905,"date":"2025-08-21T12:10:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T12:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/84905\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T12:10:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T12:10:11","slug":"mark-williams-in-line-for-immediate-job-offer-as-alastair-clarkson-praises-sacked-afl-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/84905\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Williams in line for immediate job offer as Alastair Clarkson praises sacked AFL coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has sung Mark Williams\u2019 praises after the experienced mentor was cut by Melbourne<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And while the Kangaroos currently don\u2019t have a spot for the 2004 Port Adelaide premiership coach, Clarkson hopes the increase in the soft cap can open opportunities for clubs to bolster their staff.<\/p>\n

The Demons confirmed on Thursday they would part ways with head of development Williams after five years, including playing a key role in their 2021 premiership.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

When asked if Williams was someone he\u2019d look to bring in or have a chat to, Clarkson, who worked under him at Port Adelaide, said: \u201cYeah, yeah \u2014 well, \u2018Choco\u2019 has been in the game for a long, long period of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen in a lot of clubs and been a part of success too.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows what footy\u2019s all about, and I know him very, very well, and he\u2019s just around the corner, so we\u2019ve just got to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean all clubs, probably since August 1st are trying to work out what these structures are going to look like.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s probably a little bit more opportunity to appoint people now and resource your coaching staff, a little bit more because of the lift in the soft cap. So we\u2019ll work that out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut right at the present time, we don\u2019t have a spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melbourne\u2019s decision to part with Williams, who has committed to remaining in his role for Casey\u2019s VFL finals campaign, followed the sacking of senior coach Simon Goodwin earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Both could remain in the AFL next season.<\/p>\n

Goodwin, whose wife is a high-flyer in the Sydney finance world, has already spoken with GWS about a job<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Williams\u2019 Power protege Kane Cornes broke the news of the Demons\u2019 decision on Wednesday night and revealed the veteran coach wants to stay in the AFL.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is the most impressive football person that I have ever worked with, and I can also tell you that he\u2019s desperate to continue,\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s 66 years of age and still as determined and hungry for success as ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis phone is on, and he\u2019s ready to accept any opportunities in the AFL, and he\u2019s still as passionate as he always has been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams is best known for leading Port to the flag but, as well as helping the Demons win the 2021 grand final, also helped launch the GWS Giants before being Richmond\u2019s head of development from 2013-16.<\/p>\n

He was let go at the end of the Tigers\u2019 disappointing 2016 campaign, missing out on a role in their three premierships but clearly having made a mark \u2014 particularly on Dustin Martin.<\/p>\n

\"DustinDustin Martin was close to Mark Williams before the coach was let go at the end of 2016. Credit: Scott Barbour\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Cornes said Williams is an obvious fit for the AFL\u2019s 19th club in Tasmania.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the most impressive football person that I\u2019ve ever seen, the only person to be there from the ground up at three clubs (Brisbane, Port Adelaide and GWS),\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I think it\u2019s a perfect fit at Tassie. No one has the experience with first-up teams like him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe passion to help young players and develop them has always been his biggest strength, even when he was a senior coach, that was where his passion lied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going to spend at least 12 months before they enter the main competition. So, to be able to develop those players at VFL level as they\u2019re playing and the side is developing under a coach, he\u2019d be a great option.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Cornes also thought Williams could be a handy addition to Carlton.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir skill level has been much spoken about this year and how poor it\u2019s been,\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one is more passionate about developing the skills of the game than Mark Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n

– with 7NEWS<\/p>\n

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