Experienced defender Troy Chaplin has provided a special insight into the reaction of the Richmond players when they received the news at training yesterday (Thursday), out on Punt Road Oval, that Mark ‘Choco’ Williams had been given a clean bill of health after being diagnosed with Lymphoma late last year.
The Tigers, who had gathered around Williams, roared with delight and offered heartfelt congratulations to their popular development coach.
“We had no idea what was going on,” Chaplin, who reaches the AFL’s 200-game milestone in Saturday’s match against Fremantle, said on SEN.
“‘Ivvy’ (Ivan Maric) brought us over and we thought, we’re going to stitch ‘Choco’ up here, somehow . . . something going’s to happen to him.
“But Ivan got him to let everyone know, and we were absolutely rapt.
“It’s been a bit of an unknown for the past few months. He’s been getting treatment and missing a couple of meetings here and there.
“It was just fantastic news for not only him, but his family as well . . .
“He’s a great person and he’s a great person for football as well, so, it’s great that he’s been given the all clear and can move on and get on with his life now . . .”
Chaplin went on to explain the significant impact Williams has had at Tigerland in his development coaching role over the past three years.
WATCH: Mark Williams explains his nine-month battle with Lymphoma
“It’s great for our footy club, as well, that we continue to work with him because he’s been so good with our younger guys, especially guys like ‘Brando’ (Brandon Ellis) and Dustin (Martin). He’s just had a massive impact on their careers . . .
“Guys knock his door down at training as well, wanting to watch (game-day) vision, or just even to have a chat.
“I know a lot of the older guys go in there.
“Guys like ‘Lids’ (Brett Deledio) you’ll see in there, talking about contested footy and how he can get better at it.
“So, he’s a great teacher. He’s got a lot of games and knowledge behind him from coaching and playing, so he just passes that on as much as possible.
“He comes up with amazing drills as well . . . he’s always thinking. He’s a little bit quirky and comes up with different ways to evolve drills and evolve you as a player.
“He’s got that school-teaching background, and his teaching and the nurturing of players is fantastic.”
WATCH: The players find out Mark Williams' great news at training earlier this week
Chaplin, who spent seven seasons playing under Williams at Port Adelaide, outlined his coaching philosophy.
“’Choco’ is just a caring individual. He wants to get the best out of every person, and he demands that as well,” Chaplin said.
“At times, I used to hate him as a senior coach because the nine out of 10 things you do well (on match day), he’d show the one thing (you didn’t do well) at the meeting.
“You’d walk away from the meeting and you’d be going, bloody hell, I played a poor game. But that was just him demanding the best out of you.”
