Zac Williams announces retirement from AFL

AFL veteran Zac Williams has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32, ending a 14-year career. The former Carlton and Greater Western Sydney defender played a total of 183 games, including 113 matches for the Giants and 70 for the Blues.

Williams' decision comes after being delisted by Carlton last month. Despite the move, he had reportedly attracted interest from both Essendon and Sydney. Essendon had explored signing him, and Sydney coach Dean Cox had personally reached out to Williams regarding potential defensive depth. There had also been discussions regarding a possible return via the AFL’s Category B rookie-list provision for First Nations players.

In a statement, Williams expressed gratitude to his family, his former clubs, and the wider AFL community, stating, “It’s been a privilege to play the game I love so much for so long and I’m looking forward to my next chapter!”