Underrated defender Bailey Williams is well and truly in the spotlight now.
The numbers don’t lie.
As revealed by Fox Sports this week, Williams is the competition’s most improved player in 2020.
The 22-year-old has cemented his place in Luke Beveridge’s line-up, with the benefits for Williams and the Bulldogs clear to see.
He played just nine games last year – and according to Champion Data’s AFL Player Ratings – his output had increased a phenomenal 189.6 per cent this season.
And that was before another strong performance in the Bulldogs’ 28-point win against Melbourne on Saturday, where Williams collected 19 disposals, a team-high eight rebound-50s and 596 metres gained.
“This game was really important, an eight-point game,” Williams told westernbulldogs.com.au post-game.
“The midfield plays a huge part… I thought our midfield today was great, ‘Bonti’ really drove the group forward and it paid off.
“We’ve just got to keep moving forward and hopefully give ourselves a chance to play finals.”
Williams said continuity at AFL level had been important for his self-belief.
He also snuck into unfamiliar territory against the Demons, kicking a goal – his first since round two – to round out an impressive display.
“I’ll take the 50-metre penalty,” Williams said with a laugh.
“I was a bit nervous having the shot, but I was happy when it went through.
“I’m just happy to be playing footy.
“I’m getting games under my belt and the confidence is coming with that, so hopefully I can keep on going with it and finish off the year strong.”
INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY AUCTION | Bid now on the Western Bulldogs' match worn guernseys from the 2020 Sir Doug Nicholls Round victory over Melbourne. Proceeds to Indigenous programming.
