Williams was an integral part of Marrar's rise to grand final success in 2017, a club where he enjoyed a stellar career as a premiership player and best and fairest winner.

But after two years in retirement, Williams joined a very exclusive club when he crossed over to join the Bombers' arch-rivals, TRYC.

Williams already got a taste of playing against Marrar in the Magpies' round two loss and admits he will again feel the nerves when he faces his old club at Victoria Park on Saturday.

"It is very nerve-wracking. I was very nervous the first game," Williams said.

"But obviously in the off season, I'd already talked to them and told them the reason and what was going on behind it. If it wasn't for what happened, I'd more than likely still be retired.

"But having those couple of years off, the body feels good, so I'm looking forward to giving my best out there on the weekend and hopefully we can come away with the win."

A tragedy over the off-season forced Williams out of retirement. The death of his best mate, Mitch Leaver, prompted him to pull on the boots again.

"His family asked me to go out there and help convince his nephew (Cameron Terlich) to stay out there and play," Williams explained.

"He should still be playing 15s. He felt that no one was there to help him out and back him up so I originally went out there for that and ended up really enjoying playing footy again."

After impressing on the track during pre-season, it only took one game of reserve grade for TRYC co-coaches Brad Aiken and Heath Russell to be convinced Williams had more to offer.

"The body's held up well. So I said if they do need me to play firsts I'd play and it just rolled on from there," Williams said.

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Not only has he consolidated a position in the fourth-placed Magpies' senior team, he has found a new home in recent weeks as a forward with hauls of six, four and three over the past six weeks.

"I told Brad there's no way in the world I'm playing forward. I've never been a forward, never played there and the first week he threw me in there I kicked a bag," Williams laughed.

"He turned around and sort of said, you're welcome mate and that's where you're staying. It's different, it still takes a bit of getting used to but I'm getting there."

Williams, 32, has enjoyed his time at TRYC this season. He's also aware of what a win over the ladder leaders on Saturday could do for the Magpies' season.

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