One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on November 23, 2014, 06:02:34 PM
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Just mentioned in the Ch 7 news headlines.
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Williams has been diagnosed with the blood cancer lymphoma. He noticed a lump on his face was getting bigger and bigger and he got it checked out. He'll tell the playing group tonight or tomorrow.
Best of wishes Choco.
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Very poor form by Ch7 news.
They broke the news before Choco had informed the players who everyone knows adore him.
Pathetic Ch7, some respect would be nice. We aren't dealing with Essendon here :banghead
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I am sorry to hear it. I am sorry to hear it happen to any person.
I also hope that the playing group have heard it already and not tomorrow after everyone else has.
Get well soon.
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Best wishes Choco
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Most lymphomas can be cured now. It will be a very tough challenge for Choco but I'm sure he's up to it.
Best wishes to Choco and his family.
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Most lymphomas can be cured now. It will be a very tough challenge for Choco but I'm sure he's up to it.
Best wishes to Choco and his family.
:clapping :clapping
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
Good luck camboon.
I'm sure all the posters on OER wish you a speedy recovery. We all hope you're all clear now. :pray
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
Good luck camboon.
I'm sure all the posters on OER wish you a speedy recovery. We all hope you're all clear now. :pray
X2
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damm thats rough and agreed WP, although you have to ask how they found out in the first place.
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Most lymphomas can be cured now. It will be a very tough challenge for Choco but I'm sure he's up to it.
Best wishes to Choco and his family.
:clapping :clapping
X2
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Carlton collingwood cancer idiots
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Wikipedia seems to give varying 5 year survival rates depending on the lymphoma type of 70% - 98%. Delta Goodrem had hodgkins. Personally I wish him all the best and hope he's in the % 98 group.
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damm thats rough and agreed WP, although you have to ask how they found out in the first place.
Maybe the club told the media outlets but said please don't go to air until Tuesday. Channel 7 then seize the scoop.
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What can you say really, good luck buddy, wishing you and your family comfort in your time of despair.
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
Good luck camboon.
I'm sure all the posters on OER wish you a speedy recovery. We all hope you're all clear now. :pray
x 3
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
Good luck camboon.
I'm sure all the posters on OER wish you a speedy recovery. We all hope you're all clear now. :pray
x 3
+1
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Club statement: Mark ‘Choco’ Williams
richmondfc.com.au
November 23, 2014 6:49 PM
The Club wishes to advise that following recent tests, it has been confirmed that Mark ‘Choco’ Williams has been diagnosed with Lymphoma.
Mark will shortly begin treatment while continuing to carry out his role at the Club as Senior Development Coach.
“As we always do at Richmond, we’ll support Mark and his family during this time,” Dan Richardson, Richmond’s General Manager of Football said.
Mark, his wife Pauline and their family wish to thank in advance the Richmond Football Club and wider AFL community for their understanding, best wishes and support during this time.
Mark will not make any further comment during this time and the Club asks to respect the privacy of Mark and his family.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-11-23/club-statement-mark-choco-williams
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Richmond assistant coach Mark Williams diagnosed with cancer
Michael Gleeson
The Age
November 24, 2014
Richmond senior development coach and former Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams has been diagnosed with cancer.
Williams, the former Collingwood captain and Brisbane Bears player has lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. The 56-year-old coach will have further tests to determine if it is Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Williams noticed a lump in his neck last week and after consulting the Richmond doctor had tests which confirmed the diagnosis.
Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said Williams felt fine and wanted to continue to work and the club would support him through the illness.
"He was only diagnosed last week, so he has still got further tests to undergo in the next week or two to get a bit more information on it," Richardson said.
"He is feeling fine. He noticed a lump in his lymph in his neck, which is how it came about being diagnosed, so at the moment he wants to keep working and work around the testing and things that are to come."
A club spokesman said further tests would be needed to determine what form of lymphoma it was – Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin – but whether that was to be made public would be a matter for Williams.
One of the league's more flamboyant and colourful coaches, Williams coached Port Adelaide from 1999 to 2010. He led Port to their inaugural flag in 2004 and famously grabbed at his tie and held it up to goad those who had accused the team of choking when they failed after finishing top four the two previous years.
He then provocatively declared the club's major sponsor was "wrong" in his acceptance speech on the day for questioning whether Williams was the man to lead the club to a flag. The Power under Williams also played in the 2007 grand final loss to Geelong.
Williams played 135 games for Collingwood from 1981 to '86, was captain from 1983 to '86, won the Copeland Trophy in 1981 and '85 and was an All-Australian in 1980. He moved to the Brisbane Bears for three seasons and 66 games in 1987 and '88.
He coached at GWS for two seasons before moving to Richmond to work with Damien Hardwick.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/richmond-assistant-coach-mark-williams-diagnosed-with-cancer-20141123-11savf.html
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It' will be a bit of a journey for Choco and his loved ones
Keep positive, fit and do what the professionals tell you to do and it gives you a better chance - they perform miracles these days
It's one day / hour at a time
I certainly understand what he might be feeling at the moment as I'm just finish radiation treatment after surgery and God willing will be be back on track in the next month or so
Good luck camboon.
I'm sure all the posters on OER wish you a speedy recovery. We all hope you're all clear now. :pray
X2
x3
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Horrible news. Wishing Choco a speedy recovery.
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Dang. Choc is one of the best things that has happened to our club in recent times.
Have been lucky enough to talk footy with him on a couple of occasions and rarely will you find a better football brain in the industry.
Wishing him a very speedy recovery.
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
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Sending positive thoughts to the great man, as some on here may know my battle with cancer, keeping positive is a major thing in beating this insidious disease.
I'm sure the club and players and supporters will get around him and send all our positive thoughts, as he goes on his journey.
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
He'll be coaching but I reckon he might take time off sometime in 2015 ?
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Damn, poo news, wish him all the best as well a couple of posters here rog and camboon
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
He'll be coaching but I reckon he might take time off sometime in 2015 ?
I doubt that he will be coaching in the coming months. The chemotherapy can almost kill you and he will be very unwell. He'll bet back later next year if all goes well. :pray
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Actually really nice guy from brief experience, although a bit crazy. Good luck to him
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
He'll be coaching but I reckon he might take time off sometime in 2015 ?
I'm no doc but chemo is not good
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Of utmost importance is that he gets well but no doubt it's going to be disruptive to the club.
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
He'll be coaching but I reckon he might take time off sometime in 2015 ?
I doubt that he will be coaching in the coming months. The chemotherapy can almost kill you and he will be very unwell. He'll bet back later next year if all goes well. :pray
theres different types of chemo, some people work through the worst types of chemo anyway. I reckon he might get a milder form of drug which might allow him to work through it completely
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Some (a lot) get proper stuffed up by it ...
Love the bloke best wishes :pray
Who is our number 3 coach? Mcqualter?
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Massive lose if he isn't able to coach
He'll be coaching but I reckon he might take time off sometime in 2015 ?
I doubt that he will be coaching in the coming months. The chemotherapy can almost kill you and he will be very unwell. He'll bet back later next year if all goes well. :pray
theres different types of chemo, some people work through the worst types of chemo anyway. I reckon he might get a milder form of drug which might allow him to work through it completely
You might be right, but from experience if you have a large lump things have progressed to the point they have to hit you hard Phil….
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Dan Richardson said Choco will take some time off earlier in the week for tests and we'll take it from there. The club will give him as much time off as he wants but Choco wants to get back into it and he is hoping to back coaching business as usual later on this week.
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Yes all the best Choco!!!!!
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No sickies Choc, shake it off get back into it. You too Camboon.
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I reckon he will want to jump back into the thick of it because that seems like his nature, and it seems to be the best way of dealing with most forms of this sickness. Good luck and best wishes to Choco and all the posters on here who are fighting their own battles with it. :thumbsup
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'Upbeat' Williams back on deck after tests
Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
December 4, 2014 5:33 PM
MARK Williams is back working at Richmond after being diagnosed with cancer last month.
Williams, the Tigers' senior development coach and 2004 Port Adelaide premiership mentor, was diagnosed with lymphoma and has undergone testing to determine the extent of the problem.
He is still waiting on results.
Speaking on SEN on Thursday afternoon, Richmond’s general manager of football Dan Richardson said Williams had been at the club all week.
"He's going well," Richardson said.
"He's upbeat, as Choco always is. He's still waiting on some final results of some testing he's had over the last week or so, and hopefully over the next week we'll know a little bit more.
"He feels fine so hopefully that's a good sign."
Williams remained in Melbourne while the playing list headed to Townsville in North Queensland for a pre-season training camp.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-04/williams-back-on-deck
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Wayne Ludbey. @WLudbey twitter:
"Mark Williams has not missed a Tigers training session He was in good voice today @heraldsunsport"
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5L1DwFCYAEqalT.jpg:large)
:)
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That's inspiring enough. Get stuck into the bludgers, Choco.
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Awesome!
Respect.
Try and honor this mans effort, guys.
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Awesome!
Respect.
Try and honor this mans effort, guys.
I'm sure we'll be losing to a bottom 4 side in his honour soon enough....
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Wayne Ludbey. @WLudbey twitter:
"Mark Williams has not missed a Tigers training session He was in good voice today @heraldsunsport"
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5L1DwFCYAEqalT.jpg:large)
:)
:bow :bow :bow :clapping :clapping :clapping :gotigers
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Awesome!
Respect.
Try and honor this mans effort, guys.
Well said :clapping
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Awesome!
Respect.
Try and honor this mans effort, guys.
I'm sure we'll be losing to a bottom 4 side in his honour soon enough....
As per the Hafey tribute game.
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Awesome!
Respect.
Try and honor this mans effort, guys.
Well said :clapping
Yep.
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His family and the club must be proud of him as its inspirational and will lift those around that he really knows and cares about
He refuses to be beaten by himself and is competing in the game of life and winning!!!
We are very lucky to have him at Tigerland.
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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauds assistant Mark Williams’ resilience as he battles cancer
Jon Ralph
Herald-Sun
February 12, 2015
RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has lauded Mark Williams’ incredible resilience as he successfully tackles cancer.
The Port Adelaide premiership coach was diagnosed with lymphoma in November, a cancer which attacks the immune system.
He continues treatment while combining his work at Richmond and is expected to make a full recovery, with his diagnosis extremely positive.
He is renowned across the AFL industry as a mad genius, with Hardwick planning on having him at the club for the long-term future.
“It has been great (him getting a positive diagnosis). It was obviously very disturbing news when he found out, but Chocco works in the morning and has his treatment in the afternoon and trying to keep him away from the club is the hardest problem,’’ Hardwick said.
“He has boundless energy and he exhibits everything we hold dear. He is resilient, he is relentless in everything he does and it is the reason we got him to the Tigers and we are very fortunate to have him. He does a great job and he will continue to do so.”
Williams is found on the boundary line at each Richmond game roaring at players as they come off the field physically spent.
But Hardwick says his eccentric exterior belies a cutting-edge football mind.
“The thing about Chocco is I had him as a coach at Essendon and Port Adelaide and he is still very much at the forefront of the game. I find him inspiring.
“He certainly gives me ideas at my stage of coaching development and he constantly develops me as a coach. He challenges the coaches and players and administrative staff.
“That is the importance of having good people at your footy club and innovation is something we continue to drive within our four walls and he is a big part of that.”
The only Power premiership coach could easily be coaching Greater Western Sydney or St Kilda after going close to taking both senior roles.
He made a hasty exit from GWS after being told he was not to be Kevin Sheedy’s replacement while he was the white-hot favourite to replace Scott Watters until St Kilda made a late bid for Alan Richardson.
But while his confronting, brutally honest matter can be challenging as a senior coach it is perfect foil for a young coach like Hardwick.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-lauds-assistant-mark-williams-resilience-as-he-battles-cancer/story-fndv8t7m-1227216183707
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Good news.
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Yes.
Why do I feel such bravery and leadership is wasted on a list of snot nosed pugs?
Oh, that's right - because they didn't even want to win bad enought for Tommy !!!
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Williams, 56, was diagnosed with lymphoma – a cancer that attacks the immune system – in November and immediately began treatment.
He continues his treatment while combining his work at Richmond, and his prognosis is positive.
"It's going OK," Williams said.
"Richmond's been great. They give me time in the afternoon for treatment so I can come and do all the training with the players and then get away and then come and do all the training the next morning."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-12/choco-honoured-at-pies
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Eat em alive Choc.
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What a stuffn legend!
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Take a long,hard look at yourselves, you pack of spoilt stuffn brats.
Embarrassing.
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On 7 news tonight ...
‘Choco’ given the all clear.
Williams was diagnosed with Lymphoma late last year, but has been cleared of the illness after the latest round of tests.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-07-23/choco-given-the-all-clear
Fantastic news :).
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Best news :thumbsup
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:clapping
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Great news
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Awesome news and the vision of this with the players is inspiring! :gotigers
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The players' reaction at training today on hearing the news ...
VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-07-23/chocos-clean-bill-of-health
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:bow
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Great stuff
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Awesome news. :clapping
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Great news this... :clapping
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Brilliant news :clapping
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You can see what he means to the playing group.
Sensational
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A good news story after the dark days of the past week. :gotigers
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Fantastic news!!! Long live "Choco"!!! :clapping :clapping :cheers
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Fantastic stuff. :thumbsup
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Nice
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How Mark Williams discovered he had cancer
Jesper Fjeldstad
The Advertiser
December 5, 2015
IT was the size of a peanut.
Mark Williams first realised something was wrong when he was shaving one day and noticed a bump near his temple, and an initial consultation confirmed the fears that the once-bulletproof Collingwood captain and Port premiership coach had a fight on his hands.
He had lymphoma. Cancer.
It was late 2014 when he had to come to terms with not only his own fate, but also how his family would go on if he didn’t make it.
In trademark fashion, Williams attacked the cancer like he had previous challenges – head-on – but as he looks back he concedes it frightened the suitcase out of him.
“It scared me, yeah,” Williams said. “Given the fact that I hardly missed one game in my footy career and in my working career I’ve probably missed three days, ever.
“So to actually come up and have a diagnosis like that was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’
“Because in my footy career I got over things quickly, the mindset was that, ‘I’ll just get over this.’
“It was just something else to work on and I’d get over it. And luckily, the doctors did a wonderful job at the Peter Mac Centre. I was really quite happy with the result.
“I noticed it ... I was shaving and it was like I had a peanut growing under here (he motions to an area between the cheekbone and the temple). That’s where it was.”
Williams, who was in Adelaide this week to support sister Jenny’s book launch, was in the wars.
But what struck him more than his own predicament was learning that his brother, former Port Adelaide premiership player and coach Stephen, had cancer at the same time.
“I was ringing him up saying that things were going quite well,” Williams recalled. “And then he told me about him. It was a real shock.”
That revelation, coupled with time spent in cancer wards surrounded by those hit harder than himself, made for a life-altering experience.
Williams was quick to admit he had held greater concerns for Stephen than he did for himself. That surprises nobody, because Williams has always been a family man to the core.
As he reflected on Port Adelaide’s premiership in the annals of the MCG back in 2004, he was quick to pay tribute to his late father, Fos, and twin brother Anthony, who died in a building accident back in 1988.
As Mark Williams confronted his own mortality years later, his heart and his mind was with Stephen, with the pair regularly speaking about their treatments and ticked off similar things.
Mark was in shock when, during a regular update on his progress, Stephen let him know he was fighting his own cancer battle.
As Mark was battling lymphoma, Stephen had been hit by a virus that caused cancer in the tonsils and the lymph node. He had an operation to cut it out and had six months’ radiotherapy on his neck.
The brothers’ fate affected everybody around them, as much as they wore brave faces during their illnesses.
Mark’s close mate Phil Smyth, a four-time Olympian and champion basketball coach, said Williams’ cancer fight had changed him.
“I’m not talking about losing his taste or getting a dry mouth,” Smyth said. “But it’s softened him a little. Those of us who know him already knew that he has a soft side, but it’s more that he only worries about the things that are really important now. It had him worried and all of us worried because he had to face his own mortality.”
Smyth was an important sounding board to Williams, because he had gone through his own cancer scare when he was a player.
Back then, doctors were in two minds after seeing “clouds” on his lungs, and Smyth had to have the same tests as those who were feared to have cancer.
Smyth can still recall the fears he battled at the time.
“One doctor said ‘you’ll be fine’, but another said I might have cancer, and until you find out it really scares you,” he said. “When Mark and Stephen were diagnosed, we were all worried. It’s a good story now, because they’re both OK, but we were really worried at the time.”
The mortar between the Williams brothers was Jenny, who was a constant source of support and reminded them of the inner strength that had led them to so many triumphs on the sporting field.
Jenny works in sports psychology, but the same principles that apply to athletes are relevant when former athletes are battling one of the most frightening diseases.
“It’s resilience, getting over things,” Jenny said. “Having support and care. With Mark, all the players wanted to see him, to check in on him. That’s when you know you’ve done a good job as a coach, because you’ve actually got mates who care about you.”
Mark Williams, in trademark style, takes the mickey out of his sister.
But his words are a thinly veiled compliment that underlines the importance of Jenny’s energy and determination as both of her brothers were fighting cancer.
“She’s always wanting to think that she can find a solution to everything for us,” Williams said. “Then all of a sudden she couldn’t, so she felt a bit handcuffed in that way, I’m sure.”
Williams announced to the Richmond players and coaches that he was in the clear in July this year.
The reaction was priceless – they mauled him and cheered and there were high-fives all around.
Williams, a changed man from facing mortality for the first time, emerged from the huddle with watery eyes.
He’s changed, but the drive is still there.
He was asked about his celebrations after the 2004 landmark premiership this week, and was unflinching.
“The Allan Scott thing ... I don’t regret a thing,” Williams said. “Drive is an important thing for any coach.”
Scott, the club’s major sponsor, had previously said that Port Adelaide would never win a premiership with Williams as a coach.
As part of his celebrations after the 2004 premiership, Williams tugged at his tie in reference to the “choker” tag which had been attached to the club and later said, “And Allan Scott, you were wrong” as he addressed the MCG audience.
He smiles when it’s brought up. He’s still that person. Only a little softened after beating cancer, and doing it quietly and gracefully.
Think, Prepare, Play Like a Champion, by J A Williams, is available through bestonground-performance.com
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/how-mark-williams-discovered-he-had-cancer/story-fnia6ojc-1227634278266
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Give him the top job
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Awesome man. Has a great attitude
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Awesome man. Has a great attitude
x 2. I wasn't fully sold on getting him originally but it has been the single most inspired football dept decision in our current era.
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Awesome man. Has a great attitude
x 2. I wasn't fully sold on getting him originally but it has been the single most inspired football dept decision in our current era.
Why ??
Flag winning coach as the as man??
Where's the down side #unsureface
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It'd be nice if we could win the minor premiership like PA did under his reign. Was 3 times?
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Sound about right.
Good coach...
#sackdimma
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Awesome man. Has a great attitude
x 2. I wasn't fully sold on getting him originally but it has been the single most inspired football dept decision in our current era.
Smokey - you were wrong!
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The club's decision to bring Williams on board has a been a great one.