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AUGUST 15 2016 - 3:16PM
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Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower Tony Williams seeking title 'destiny' before exit
Adam Pengilly
Panthers maul Knights in Newy
Tony Williams has lined up his critics and asked them to understand what it's like to "walk in his shoes" as he attempts to help the Bulldogs – who he is resigned to leaving – win a premiership and fulfil his own "destiny" at the club.
A lightning rod for criticism during his four years at Belmore, the enigmatic Williams has spoken about his desire to again represent Australia and return to his devastating best as he desperately searches for a new NRL contract in 2017.
The Bulldogs have made no secret about their plans not to renew Williams' lucrative deal beyond this season, but the 120-kilogram wrecking ball reckons his best chance of earning an NRL lifeline is to help Canterbury march into a third grand final in five years.
And he has no doubt he can still be one of the most destructive ball runners in the game despite his career in Australia appearing to be at a crossroads.
"Anyone knows that when I'm at my best I believe I'm one of the best in the game still at my position," Williams said.
"What I've done in the past – people and critics have seen that and they expect you to be like that all the time – but it's very hard [to replicate it every week]. That's what makes a good player – how you bounce back – and I guess be at your best [regularly].
Destiny: Tony Williams reckons his best chance of earning another NRL contract is to help Canterbury reach a third grand ...
Destiny: Tony Williams reckons his best chance of earning another NRL contract is to help Canterbury reach a third grand final in five years. Photo: Getty Images
"They [critics] will never know [what happens off the field]. They judge you on how you play and that's all they can judge you on. Until they live in your shoes they can't see what's going on [behind closed doors]."
What they have seen is a Bulldogs team much better since Williams' renaissance.
Languishing in reserve grade mid-way through the year, Williams has been somewhat of a lucky charm for the top-four hopefuls since his recall, with Canterbury's only loss in their past seven matches – a 36-0 pasting at the hands of North Queensland – coming without the premiership winner.
Asked if he would be disappointed not to win a premiership before his stint at Canterbury ends, Williams, who won the 2011 premiership with Manly, said: "When I came to this club I knew we would be destined to win a grand final.
"Any other player that comes to this club ... you want to stay. But where the NRL is now it's a business and it's very hard to stay at one club for a long time.
"This is my fourth year and I'm blessed to be here still. I'm blessed to be here with the team we have. I would have loved to stay, but it's hard to talk much about contracts because I haven't looked too much into it.
"But I'm just trying to play my best footy and hopefully if we make the grand final it might make it easier for me to get a contract."
Williams is likely to be one of a host of players set to leave the Bulldogs over summer with Sam Perrett (retirement), Curtis Rona (Western Force) and Tim Browne (Penrith) announcing their departures in recent weeks.
It hasn't stopped the momentum of the Bulldogs and Williams, who said coach Des Hasler never lost faith in him despite his controversial axing to the Intrust Super Premiership.
"He's never given up hope on me, but he's got to do what he's got to do," Williams said. "If he doesn't pick me that's what he thinks is best for the team.
"I was battling injuries, but that's no excuse for the way I was playing. I guess the confidence wasn't there and it's amazing what confidence does to your performance when you're on top of your game and firing.
"The way I played I looked back at some of the video and that's not who I am. I had a look what I could do and I worked a lot on my off-field stuff and it's helped my on-field stuff."
SAVE
Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower Tony Williams seeking title 'destiny' before exit
Adam Pengilly
Panthers maul Knights in Newy
Tony Williams has lined up his critics and asked them to understand what it's like to "walk in his shoes" as he attempts to help the Bulldogs – who he is resigned to leaving – win a premiership and fulfil his own "destiny" at the club.
A lightning rod for criticism during his four years at Belmore, the enigmatic Williams has spoken about his desire to again represent Australia and return to his devastating best as he desperately searches for a new NRL contract in 2017.
The Bulldogs have made no secret about their plans not to renew Williams' lucrative deal beyond this season, but the 120-kilogram wrecking ball reckons his best chance of earning an NRL lifeline is to help Canterbury march into a third grand final in five years.
And he has no doubt he can still be one of the most destructive ball runners in the game despite his career in Australia appearing to be at a crossroads.
"Anyone knows that when I'm at my best I believe I'm one of the best in the game still at my position," Williams said.
"What I've done in the past – people and critics have seen that and they expect you to be like that all the time – but it's very hard [to replicate it every week]. That's what makes a good player – how you bounce back – and I guess be at your best [regularly].
Destiny: Tony Williams reckons his best chance of earning another NRL contract is to help Canterbury reach a third grand ...
Destiny: Tony Williams reckons his best chance of earning another NRL contract is to help Canterbury reach a third grand final in five years. Photo: Getty Images
"They [critics] will never know [what happens off the field]. They judge you on how you play and that's all they can judge you on. Until they live in your shoes they can't see what's going on [behind closed doors]."
What they have seen is a Bulldogs team much better since Williams' renaissance.
Languishing in reserve grade mid-way through the year, Williams has been somewhat of a lucky charm for the top-four hopefuls since his recall, with Canterbury's only loss in their past seven matches – a 36-0 pasting at the hands of North Queensland – coming without the premiership winner.
Asked if he would be disappointed not to win a premiership before his stint at Canterbury ends, Williams, who won the 2011 premiership with Manly, said: "When I came to this club I knew we would be destined to win a grand final.
"Any other player that comes to this club ... you want to stay. But where the NRL is now it's a business and it's very hard to stay at one club for a long time.
"This is my fourth year and I'm blessed to be here still. I'm blessed to be here with the team we have. I would have loved to stay, but it's hard to talk much about contracts because I haven't looked too much into it.
"But I'm just trying to play my best footy and hopefully if we make the grand final it might make it easier for me to get a contract."
Williams is likely to be one of a host of players set to leave the Bulldogs over summer with Sam Perrett (retirement), Curtis Rona (Western Force) and Tim Browne (Penrith) announcing their departures in recent weeks.
It hasn't stopped the momentum of the Bulldogs and Williams, who said coach Des Hasler never lost faith in him despite his controversial axing to the Intrust Super Premiership.
"He's never given up hope on me, but he's got to do what he's got to do," Williams said. "If he doesn't pick me that's what he thinks is best for the team.
"I was battling injuries, but that's no excuse for the way I was playing. I guess the confidence wasn't there and it's amazing what confidence does to your performance when you're on top of your game and firing.
"The way I played I looked back at some of the video and that's not who I am. I had a look what I could do and I worked a lot on my off-field stuff and it's helped my on-field stuff."
