Zorba column: The Wolfman is howling again
May 1, 2015 5:16pm
Peter PetersManly Daily
David Williams is congratulated by Peta Hiku after scoring a try against the Storm. Picture : Getty Images.
If ever a wolf deserved to howl it has been Sea Eagles veteran winger David Williams.
The Wolfman has been in the Rugby League wilderness since the 2013 grand final when he took in a lot of self blame in the loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Injuries, a headline grabbing suspension and a dramatic loss of confidence had the popular figure and his fans wondering when the former premiership winner and international would turn around his fortunes.
Williams was a late inclusion last Saturday in a Sea Eagles side desperate to turn around an uncharacteristically poor first two months of the 2015 season.
In the Melbourne rain in a game few gave the maroon and whites a chance, Williams was an unlikely hero.
He kicked two goals from three attempts and latched onto a perfectly timed Daly Cherry-Evans pass to score the match clincher.
It was heartwarming to see the bearded winger swamped by his elated team mates again.
They — more than anyone- know what Williams has been through in the past few years.
A lesser person could have and probably walked away from the game.
But not Williams. He has continued to train hard. He has refused to complain and has taken it upon himself to try and lift the younger players in the club.
The game can be cruel when a former glamour player is forced to play in front of paltry crowds in the NSW Cup.
When the Sea Eagles arrived in Melbourne coach Geoff Toovey showed faith in Williams on a couple of fronts. The first one was to decide to use the Wolfman in his specialist right wing spot. The second was to give a player down in confidence the goalkicking duties in difficult conditions.
Williams had kicked goals from all over the field at the Melbourne Captain’s Run the day before the match.
The cheers for a gutsy win against the odds and a timely return to form by the long haired, bearded winger could be heard in hotels and clubs all over the peninsula.
