Jake Greiser continues to play key role for Williamstown as he nears 150 VFL games

Senior coach Justin Plapp says Jake Greiser has “given his guts’” to Williamstown. He’s unheralded, but the powerful defender is never to be underestimated — and he’s still going strong after more than a decade.

Jake Greiser celebrates a goal for Willy against arch rival Werribee. Photo: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos

Jake Greiser thought he had it all worked out.

Overlooked in the 2013 AFL draft, the Western Jets graduate signed at Williamstown and envisioned a speedy rise through the ranks of the VFL.

“I’d come in and dominate and then see what happens,’’ is how he saw the road ahead.

It wasn’t so straightforward. Greiser did not play a senior game in his first season at Point Gellibrand; the TAC Cup top-liner was suddenly in a long selection queue. It was an awakening to the difference between the Under 18 competition and the state league.

“I learned you have to put the hard work in,’’ he says.

“These VFL players are elite players. Just because they’re semi-professional doesn’t mean they’re not elite. You just can’t go in and think you can dominate.’’

Greiser finally got a senior debut in 2015. Ten years on, he’s still with the Towners.

He did not realise his aspirations to play in the AFL, but he has become one of the VFL’s longest-serving and most respected players.

Jake Greiser takes a breather at the huddle last Sunday.

Greiser, 29, says he’s “just plodding along and playing my role’’, but he’s selling his contribution to Willy woefully short.

The right-footer has never won any majors awards in his long career – no best and fairests, no team-of-the-year honours, no Big V jumpers – yet senior coach Justin Plapp holds him up as the type of player that makes good teams tick and clubs better places.

“When I think about Williamstown footy club, I think about Williamstown people and I think about Jake Greiser,’’ he says.

“He’s given a lot of effort and a lot of his time to the club, for the right reasons. He’s always had a focus on making Williamstown better, wanting to build a better culture. He’s a ripping bloke and he’s so loyal and honest and competitive. He’s given his guts to the footy club.’’

Greiser is approaching his 150th senior game for Williamstown.

There’s a good chance it will fall on the day Willy play Box Hill Hawks and the 2015 premiership team coached by Andy Collins gathers for a reunion.

Greiser missed out on the flag. He was in contention to be the 23rd player but the match committee went with Billy Meyers. He was disappointed, but he took something from it.

“That fuelled the fire for me,’’ he says. “That made me stay and want to do what they did.’’

Jake Greiser thumps Willy forward in last year’s wildcard final against Richmond. Photo: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Those strong Towner teams early in his career shaped his senior football.

With the likes of Michael Gibbons, Adam Marcon, Ben Jolley, Ed Carr and Willie Wheeler around, his opportunities in the midfield were limited.

He did spend some time as an onballer, but eventually found his home at halfback, where his reading of the play, intercept marking and penetrating kicking have made him a valuable commodity.

That was nothing like his position at the Western Jets, where he was noted for his contested-ball winning on his way to second place in the 2013 best and fairest and Vic Metro selection for the Under 18 national championships.

Carlton AFL assistant Torin Baker coached Greiser at the Jets and remembers a “consummate professional, someone very self-motivated’’.

Baker has followed his football and is pleased he has set down his influence at Williamstown.

Jake Greiser as an Under 18 Vic Metro representative.

“Rapt for him. There were plenty of clubs asking about him (at the Jets) but I like the fact he’s gone and had a really good career at state level,’’ he says.

“He’s a great story of someone who just missed out yet has still had an impact.’’

What AFL clubs overlooked, Williamstown hooked.

Greiser says Willy “felt like home from the first day I walked in’’.

He has represented no other senior team. All VFL players have “home’’ clubs. Greiser lists his as Buninyong but he’s never played there. In fact, he’s never played anywhere other than Willy.

“Well you don’t play in the VFL for the cash,’’ he replies when asked about his long stay with the Seagulls.

HE’S NOT LEAVING!

Jake Greiser is coming back home for his 12th year 🏠

Read about his re-signing here: https://t.co/XtoC77O3Zrpic.twitter.com/ox4mQqCkpN

— Williamstown FC (@WilliamstownFC) February 12, 2025

“I guess it’s just about being happy and having that idea of representing the club on and off the field. It’s not just about how you play for three hours on the weekend … you have to wear the club polo with pride and get around the players and coaches and volunteers. Volunteers especially, because clubs don’t run without those special people.’’

Greiser started a business – mobile PT online coaching – this year and had his doubts about going on in 2025. He wondered if there would be enough hours in the week for work and football.

“If you’re not giving 100 per cent at this level of footy, you’re wasting everyone’s time,’’ he says. Ultimately he decided to continue, believing the Towners had the list to give the premiership a nudge.

Willy coach Justin Plapp says Jake Greiser is “consistently consistent’’.

Their start to the season was shaky — they were 1-4 — but they’ve peeled off six consecutive victories to put themselves in the top half of the ladder.

“Where we are at now is exciting, but we’ve still got plenty of growth,’’ Greiser says.

He’s been named in the best in seven of his 11 games, averaging 21.5 possessions and 6.5 marks.

As Plapp sees it, “he knows when to come off his man and challenge the opposition and get up the ground and use his legs, and he knows when to defend.’’

He's back!

Jake Greiser returns to the lineup as 23rd man for Saturday's clash with Casey! #StandAndDeliverpic.twitter.com/1LeyziYQLG

— Williamstown FC (@WilliamstownFC) August 13, 2015

In other words, he strikes the balance between ball-finding and man-minding.

Williamstown gave Greiser life membership in 2023. It goes with two Club 1864 awards voted on by past players.

Plapp says Greiser’s standing in the VFL shouldn’t be judged on best-and-fairest finishes or team-of-the-year gongs.

He says consistency puts the right-footer in the top bracket of player.

“He’s consistently consistent, that’s the best way I can put it,’’ Plapp says. “I love him. I’ll take him every day of the week.’’

Originally published as Jake Greiser continues to play key role for Williamstown as he nears 150 VFL games