Port Adelaide assistant Jason Williams has been announced as the new development coach at Hawthorn, joining the team headed up by fellow new recruit Daniel Giansiracusa.
Williams' most recent post was in the same role for Port Adelaide, whilst also overseeing their Next Generation Academy, as a proud Indigenous man himself.
Williams was also an assistant coach in this year's Indigenous All Stars game, and has also spent time spearheading the AFL's Indigenous Talent Program as head coach, with previous stints with the Northern Bullants in the VFL and the Calder Cannons in the Coates Talent League populating his resume.
Hawthorn's executive general manager of football Rob McCartney congratulated Williams on his appointment.
“On behalf of club, I'd like to welcome Jason to Hawthorn,” McCartney said.
“Whilst relatively fresh in his AFL coaching journey, what Jason brings goes well beyond football field, he is an emerging leader of young men with an incredibly strong passion for helping and providing mentorship to players.
“Gifted with an ability of building strong relationships, Jason is the sort of person who shows genuine care and compassion for his players and we're very excited about him teaching and empowering our next generation of Hawks.”
Williams' departure from Alberton continues an overhauling of the Power's football department in the wake of Josh Carr's succession of Ken Hinkley. General manager of football Chris Davies reunited with Michael Voss at Carlton recently, Tyson Goldsack returned to Collingwood and Chad Cornes also departed their program.
Power premiership player Stuart Dew returns in a senior assistant capacity, and Carr's corps is strengthened further by the additions of Luke Webster from West Coast, Andy Collins from Hawthorn, Darren Reeves, who comes aboard after impressing as a two-time premiership winning coach at SANFL level, Sean Lemmens and Mitch Clisby.
