Zac Williams

This was to commemorate the 1967 referendum (which allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted with the general population in the national census).

Zachery Williams (born 20 September 1994) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

A utility, 1.85 metres tall and weighing 84 kilograms, Williams also plays as a defender and mid-fielder.

He was recruited by Greater Western Sydney as the 54th pick in the 2012 AFL Rookie Draft, making his debut in round five of the 2013 AFL season.

Williams played in the 2012 Riverina Football League grand final, and was recognised as the best afield.

Williams was unsuccessful in the 2012 National draft selection.

Later, he was chosen by Greater Western Sydney Giants in the 2012 Rookie Draft as pick 55.

Williams previously represented the Greater Western Sydney Football Club, playing 113 games over eight seasons from 2013 to 2020.

Williams earned a nomination for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award and has played the 14th most games for Greater Western Sydney Club.

In April 2013, Williams was promoted from the rookie list to the senior list.

He became the first academy graduate to join GWS's list.

In round five of the 2013 AFL season, Williams made his debut at age 18, representing Greater Western Sydney Giants against the Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval.

Williams went on to play 11 games that season, and earned the round 19 nomination for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award.

Prior to the start of the 2014 season, Williams changed from number 51 Guernsey to number 29, following the departure of Dom Tyson.

On 30 May 2015, the Greater Western Sydney Giants wore specially designed Indigenous themed guernseys in their game against the Western Bulldogs to commemorate the 2015 Indigenous Round.

Williams was one of six Indigenous players on the team.

In the second half of the 2015 season, Williams shifted positions and played as an attacking Backman.

Williams represented the 22 under 22 team in the 2016 season, playing as a back.

He received the unofficial title of Most Underrated player in 2016, given by champion data.

He was seventh in line for the best and fairest award for Greater Western Sydney Giants in 2016.

Williams received his first two Brownlow Medal votes in round two against Gold Coast Suns.

This game was Williams' best performance of the season with disposals (31), total kicks (20) and inside 50s (9).

Williams had a career high season in 2016, averaging 22 possessions per game.

On 24 May 2017, it was announced that Williams would wear number 67 on his guernsey rather than his usual 29, for the round 10 Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round game against West Coast.

At the end of the 2020 season, Williams signed with as a restricted free agent.

Williams was born and raised in Narrandera, New South Wales, to Steven Williams and Joy O'Hara.

Williams is of Aboriginal Australian (Wiradjuri) descent on his father's side and of Irish descent on his mother's side.

His father died when he was six years old, and his mother was left to raise him as well as his older sister Samantha.

His father remains a profound influence on Williams and his Indigenous heritage.

Williams attended Narrandera High School and grew up playing an array of sports, including basketball, rugby league, and AFL.

Williams' father grew up playing rugby league, but chose to enrol Williams in Auskick as soon as he was old enough.

His father believed he was more suited for the game.

For financial reasons, William's mother asked him to pick just one sport at age 15.

Williams chose AFL over basketball and rugby league, despite preferring basketball at the time, as he believed he was not tall enough to play professionally.

His role models were fellow AFL players Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin.

Growing up, Williams' main focus became Australian Rules Football.

He played junior football for the Narrandera Eagles in the Riverina Football Netball League.

At the age of 15, Williams joined Greater Western Sydney's academy program.

The club's academy program allowed Williams to develop as a footballer and experience what professional football would be like.

At age 17, Williams represented NSW in the AFL U18's Championship.