T-Rex ready to repay the faith at Eels
If it looks like Tony Williams is trying to make up for lost time, it’s because he is.
Williams, attempting to resurrect his career where it began, has been one of the few bright spots in Parramatta’s dismal 0-5 start to the year. ‘T-Rex’ made his long-awaited return a fortnight ago from the bench and impressed enough to earn a start in coach Brad Arthur’s starting 13.
Eel deal: Tony Williams has been a rare bright spot in Parramatta's dismal season to date.
Photo: Benjamin Cuevas, Parramatta EelsIt is a comeback that has been a long time coming. The 29-year-old played only one game for Cronulla last season before suffering yet another season-ending injury. He was limited to just 19 appearances the previous year in what was also an injury-plagued stint at Canterbury. Even his second coming at the Eels was delayed due to a two-week suspension for DUI.
Which is why he is so keen to spark the blue and golds now that he is fully fit.
“That’s what I try and bring to the team,” Williams said. “If I can anyway try and make a difference or change the momentum that is what I’ll do.
“I’m pretty excited I get to play again. It has almost been a year since I got injured, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I know it hasn’t been the start we wanted, but it’s never too late. We just need a win and we can build from that.”
In his prime, Williams is one of the most destructive forwards in the game. However, the former NSW and Australian backrower’s manager wasn’t inundated with NRL offers when he was clubless during the summer.
“Oh, I left it real late,” Williams said.
“We tried our luck. It is always hard when you’re injured. I played one NRL game last year and the year before that I was a bit on and off too.
"It’s really hard to press for a contract, but BA [Arthur] showed faith in me. I think he knew what I was capable of and he knew that he would get it out of me.
"I’m really grateful that he gave me that chance. I’ve taken it with two hands and I’m not looking back.”
There were options in the Super League, but the father of three wasn’t keen to move his young family to England. His dream was always to return to the Eels, where he is close mates with several players including Jarryd Hayne. He hopes the long lay-off has extended his career and hopes to earn a new Eels contract in coming months.
"The body isn’t battered or bruised. It’s just those niggling injuries that I need to keep on top of,” he said.
"But I’m playing every week like it is my last.
"I'd love to stay at Parra, but I’ve just got to keep playing consistently.
"You see all these young kids coming up and most of them are bigger than me now [laughs], so I’ve got to step my game up.
"But if I play to my potential every week, I can't see why I can’t get another contract."