Oliver Lees
After taking a year away from the game to spend time with his family, Reuben William is feeling excited about his return to Werribee for the Victorian Football League season.
William played 12 games for Werribee in 2022 before returning to Queensland, where he spent most of his childhood and worked his way on to an AFL list with the Brisbane Lions.
Born in South Sudan, William moved to Australia with his mother and four siblings when he was four-years-old.
Football and family were the two constants in his life, but when his AFL career came to a close after three games in 2016, he later followed his love for the game down to Victoria to take up an opportunity with the Footscray Bulldogs in the VFL.
Now back at Werribee after the team had a successful season that resulted in a grand final defeat to the Gold Coast Suns, William said he’s eager to contribute to the team once again.
“I’m excited for what the season holds,” he said. “When I was thinking of coming back, Werribee was the only option.
“It’s such a good and tight knit group. Everything from the culture and the staff played a big part in me wanting to come back, it’s a club that is always willing to put the players first.”
William’s return to the fold as a player has been put on hold slightly by pre-season injury concerns.
In the Werrribee’s first hit out against Williamstown a collision left him with broken ribs and he was also dealing with a lingering adductor hip issue earlier in the year.
But he still had plenty to do even without the ball in his hands.
Now working within the AFL’s National Multicultural Academy, William has been able to assist other young players from diverse backgrounds to transition into the professional system.
William said his love for this job was a big factor in his decision to return to Victoria.
“With work I’m needed down here more than not,” he said.
“I feel like no matter where I’m at playing I always try to put a lens on how I can help people improve their game.
“I can see players I have been brought up through this system and that’s the beauty of the transition program, hopefully they can make it to their goal of becoming an AFL footballer.”
William has also taken on an unofficial leadership role at Werribee
The club itself has been going through a transition of its own, with James Allen taking over as senior coach from Michael Barlow.
Barlow took the club all the way to the VFL grand final last season, before joining North Melbourne in the AFL as its new head of development.
Under Allen, William said he believes he might spend more time in the forward.
“I had a great relationship with Mick [Barlow], but at the same time he’s left a really good foundation at the club and Jimmy [Allen] has his own story,” he said.
“I’m very excited for what this young group can do, I honestly think we’ve got the potential to do anything.”
