Ballan veteran Rodney Watts, left, and his teammates need more from star recruit Mark Williams, right, according to coach Darron Batties.
BALLAN coach Darron Batties wants more out of his star recruit Mark Williams.
Batties, who has just re-signed with the Blues for a further two years, has been disappointed with the contribution the Hawthorn premiership player has made during his time in the Central Highlands Football League.
Batties said Williams was yet to provide the output the club had expected when it signed him during the pre-season.
“He needs to provide a 100 per cent effort week in, week out. This week I’d expect 100 per cent effort in all facets of the game,” Batties told The Courier.
“He just needs to work harder because the competition is not as easy what he thought it might be. Having said that, so does the rest of the side.
“(Mark) needs to show more leadership, I’d imagine, from an experienced player.”
Batties believed Williams, who he says will be given more of a midfield role today against Gordon, had been playing about 70 per cent capacity this season.
“It’s been a build up, but I’ve had a good yak to him and we’re working pretty hard. I’m very confident he’s going to come good sooner rather than later and when he does it will be in a big way,” Batties said.
Williams debuted in fine style against Waubra in round one, booting six goals as the Blues challenged the reigning premiers, but injured his hand the following week against Carngham-Linton.
While playing every game this season, the 29-year-old has only been named among Ballan’s best on two occasions.
The two-time Hawks leading goalkicker has booted 25 majors in 2012, at an average of 2.78 goals per game.
He sits ninth on the competition’s leading goalkicker chart behind Hepburn ace Lee Cox, who tops the rankings with 53 goals.
Ballan has won two games this season, leaving it 13th on the ladder.
