Tony Williams

Tony Williams (born 12 December 1988) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL. He has played for both Tonga and Australia at international level.

Williams previously played for the Parramatta Eels, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he won the 2011 NRL Grand Final, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has also played for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the Canterbury Cup NSW. He played on the wing and as a centre earlier in his career. Williams played for NSW City Origin and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

Playing career

2008

Williams started the 2008 season playing in the Parramatta Eels NYC team and signed with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 27 May 2008, a week before making his NRL debut. In Round 13 of the 2008 NRL season, Williams made his NRL debut for the Parramatta Eels against the Canberra Raiders, playing on the wing in the Eels 30–12 win at Parramatta Stadium. In Round 15 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Williams scored his first NRL career try in the Eels 16–14 loss at Remondis Stadium. On 3 September 2008, Williams was named at centre in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year. Williams finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 10 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Parramatta Eels in the 2008 NRL season.

Williams signed a 1-year deal with his former club the Parramatta Eels for the 2018 season.

2018

On 14 February 2018, Williams was fined $1,000, had his driver's licence suspended for 12 months, and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond after appearing in Parramatta local court for mid-range drink driving. Williams had insisted on driving home when his wife came to pick him up after a birthday celebration at the Albion Hotel in Parramatta on 16 December 2016. His three young children were in the car at the time. His driving was so erratic that members of the public called the police, who discovered Williams had a blood alcohol level of 0.122. "Shame on you, Mr Williams," Magistrate Jennifer Giles said at sentencing. She said the "community does not feel safe with you with a licence; you are exceptionally lucky you did not hurt or kill someone, or yourself." Williams also has handed a 2-week suspension by the club. On 29 April 2018, Williams ruptured his ACL in Parramatta's 24–22 victory over The Wests Tigers, subsequent scans revealed that he would miss the remainder of the season.

On 15 September, it was alleged that Williams had tested positive to cocaine during a random drugs test conducted by the Parramatta club. On 25 September, Williams contract with Parramatta was terminated after the player had been found guilty of failing a second drugs test. Williams was also handed a fine and a 12 match suspension by the NRL.

Wikipedia