Mark Williams' master to 'Sir Alex' Sheedy's apprentices

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy with his Giants.Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Australian

The Port Adelaide premiership coach is revelling in his role as Kevin Sheedy's offsider, tutoring the Giants' legion of youngsters about AFL game styles and structures.

And he has formed a strong relationship with delisted Power ruckman Jon Giles, who had little to do with Williams in his four seasons under him in Adelaide.

"This time around it's a different relationship with me and Choco," said Giles, primed to be the lead ruckman for GWS despite failing to make his AFL debut under Williams.

"At Port I was really young and finding my feet, whereas here at the Giants I'm a bit older and bit more mature - so I feel a bit more comfortable (with Williams).

"Me and Choco have been working pretty closely with the midfield group.

"And Sheeds and Choco work really well together."

Alex Carey, a junior from Glenelg, suggested Williams had been quick to revert to the development role which kick-started his coaching career at Essendon in 1995.

"I've learned a lot in the time he's been up here already," said Carey, who impressed in the midfield for the Giants in the NAB Cup.

"When he arrived it really made you feel you were in a professional environment.

"The way he approaches everything is full on, making sure everything is right.

"Each training session we're learning something new and all the young

boys are enjoying working with him."

Carey said Williams was working feverishly to bring the club's teenagers up to speed with what to expect at AFL level, ahead of the club's introduction to the league next season.

"The AFL game style these days he always says has changed, even over the last two years," Carey said.

"It's a lot different to what I've grown up with because the SANFL's a bit different as well.

"He (Williams) has got a lot of time for all our

young players, works really well with them and understands them - which is the main thing."

Officially in charge of the midfield, 52-year-old Williams has been a driving force during training at Blacktown while Sheedy oversees the fledgling club.

"My role is basically to continue on with my teaching and coaching role I had in the past," Williams said.

"And Sheeds is more like the great Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager) in controlling things over the top of us and pulling all the strings from afar."