Increasingly confident and vocal as an Indigenous leader at GWS, the issue of under-representation in AFL coaching ranks isn't lost on Zac Williams.
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Aged 24 and in the prime of his career, Williams is yet to think too much about life after retirement and its varied challenges.
But the coaching bug has already bitten the rebounding defender, who helped mentor the Giants' NEAFL outfit in 2018 after rupturing his Achilles tendon in pre-season.
Williams is in the minority.
Approximately 10 per cent of AFL players are Indigenous but there are just three Aboriginal coaches, a remarkably low number given roughly 180 coaches are employed throughout the league.
It's a statistic the AFL and AFL Coaches Association are keen to address.
"I have thought about how there's not too many. I'm not too sure why. I guess it's not really a pathway that a lot of Indigenous players think of, unless someone sparks it," Williams told AAP.
"I really enjoyed coaching in the NEAFL last year.
"I guess that's where my aspirations come from. It gave me a chance to speak up a bit more, I'm more confident now when I try to put my two cents in when speaking with Leon (Cameron) and our other coaches.
"Hopefully I've got 10 or more years of playing but that could open up more opportunities ... maybe trying to start a pathway into that side of football for other Indigenous players as well."
Williams' untimely hamstring injury will prevent him from tackling Gold Coast at Giants Stadium on Saturday, when he hoped to don the club's Indigenous guernsey after helping design it.
The backman and fellow Indigenous Giant Jeremy Finlayson worked closely with artist Leeanne Hunter to shape the story depicted on the jumper.
The youngster was incredibly shy upon arriving at GWS via the 2012 rookie draft but is now the expansion club's most experienced Indigenous player and a mentor to Finlayson and Ian 'Bobby' Hill.
"I was a little bit embarrassed when I first arrived and I couldn't answer certain questions from teammates," Williams said.
"It kicked me into gear. I found out more about our family background, my history, tribe, culture.
"Having a conversation about that stuff sparks a really positive domino effect.
"I've matured a lot. I know it's important I speak up, say what I need to say about certain things, that I'm a role model."
Williams, who made a passionate public plea for online racial abuse to stop earlier this year, is set to address teammates later this week about the 'Football Dreaming' guernsey and the importance of Sir Doug Nicholls rounds.
Australian Associated Press
