Since Williams joined the Tigers for the 2013 season, Richmond's has selected three first-round picks – Ben Lennon, Corey Ellis and Daniel Rioli – but largely preferred a mature-age approach with its later picks.
Of the players added to the senior list through the NAB AFL Draft, trade or rookie elevation spots, 11 of 18 were mature-age players.
"Critics highlight the slow development of some players, like (Reece) Conca and Lennon, but they've been injured quite often in the time they've been at Richmond," Williams said.
"When they're recruited to the club you expect them to have a good run and a solid training foundation, not expecting too many injuries along the way.
"If they do get injured, it's really hard to judge if they were recruited right or if they were developed right because nothing really went right for the player.
"If you look at those that didn't suffer a bumpy pathway, you'll see there's been great success."
Williams, who had a winning percentage of 55 per cent as a senior coach, highlighted the club's eight debutants in 2015 and the fact that 12 of the 14 players under the development umbrella played in 2016.
He expected Oleg Markov, Rioli, Connor Menadue and rookie find Jayden Short to be great long-term players for the club.
He also spoke about the close relationship he developed with club champion Dustin Martin, who highlighted the work Williams had done with him in his Jack Dyer Medal speech last week.
"'Choco', as every year, you've helped take my game to another level and I'm going to miss you around the club," said Martin, who has finished top three in the club's best and fairest for four straight years, earning All Australian selection for the first time in 2016.
For Williams, the friendship the pair has forged, with Williams mentoring him over the past four years, will not be lost in his departure from the Tigers.
"Dustin's more than just a player I coach. He's certainly become one of the family, and that's how our kids and my wife and I treat him," Williams said.
"He's become a very close friend of our family and that friendship will continue."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-13/reinvigorated-choco-keen-to-stay-in-the-afl-system
