Carlton fan favourite Zac Williams has paid tribute to his late sister Sam after kicking a goal in Sunday night’s blockbuster against Essendon.
After playing much of his career in the backline, Williams has been swung forward recently in a successful move.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Williams pays tribute to late sister.
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He kicked seven goals in the past two weeks and added another in the second term against the Bombers.
After nailing the close-range set shot to put the Blues 27 points up, Williams kissed his wrist and pointed to the sky.
Williams’ sister Sam lost her cancer battle nearly one year ago to the day.
Sam, a mother of three, had already beaten cancer once before when she learned in December 2021 that it had returned.
“She taught me so many things and showed me the true meaning of strength and love,” Williams wrote after Sam died on June 5, 2023.
After the match, Williams held back tears speaking to Channel 7 about the celebration.
“On Thursday was my sister’s … sorry, yeah, 12 months on Thursday, so getting a bit emotional,” he said.
“It was a long week, heading into this game to be honest … my sister’s family, her three kids and husband went up to Luna Park actually in Sydney. They got out and about which was nice
“I don’t think it came off my boot very well, almost a floater, so I’m glad it went through and I just paid a little tribute to her.
“And I know she’d be very proud, especially with me playing forward now and kicking goals.”
The 29-year-old last month opened up on the tough 12 months that included spending the entire 2023 season on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.
“Had a pretty tough year last year,” the 29-year-old told Carlton’s Summer Session podcast.
“It’s a great support system to be here at the Carlton Football Club.
“If I didn’t have everyone here … it would have made things a lot tougher. (But it’s a) new year, new me … bigger and better things to come.”
The former GWS Giant said he would “definitely” use the pain of 2023 “as motivation to get better (and) play some great footy this year”.
“My sister played a big part in getting me to where I am today … my Mum and my sister played a big part in my life, really, my dad passed away when I was very young so I had two strong women to sort of push me in the direction I needed to go ….,” he said.
“Definitely, in that first game back, whenever it is, I will definitely be wearing my black armband for her and I will probably wear it all year, to be honest, for her, and take it out with me all year.
“So I’ve got a lot of motivation this year coming from knee and rehab stuff and also personal stuff as well.”
Williams has previously spoken about his relationship with Sam, who was as much a mother as a sister after they lost their father when Zac was five years old.
He bought a house for his sister and her family after nine years in the AFL system.
“I said ‘go find a house that you want, I’ve saved up my money, I’m ready to buy a family house for you guys’,” Williams told the Ordineroli Speaking podcast in 2021.
“It would’ve been maybe 6-12 months before I finally saw it. I had seen it through FaceTime with her kids and things like that, but once I showed up to the house, it was more surreal.
“It was ‘holy s***, we finally own a house, our family finally owns something that’s ours’. Growing up, I never thought about owning my own house or owning anything.
“It was one of the best feelings and every time I’m home, my sister will thank me but I tell her that she doesn’t need to thank me. I thank her for the way she’s brought me up and been on my arse when I was playing up.”