Shute Shield 2020: Rising star Jeremy Williams making mark at Eastern Suburbs
If anyone knows how to fight back from an injury it’s Jeremy Williams. He’s been a regular in hospital emergencies over the years, including one time for a seriously bizarre mishap.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There was no one more relieved than Jeremy Williams when he heard the Shute Shield club rugby premiership would go ahead after coronavirus had threatened to close the competition.
After a string of injuries, illness and protracted lay-offs, the Eastern Suburbs teenager was desperate to play his first full match of rugby in more than a year and turn heads with a standout season.
TROUBLE: Most dangerous players in Shute Shield
SHUTE SHIELD: Plenty to play for in final round
And heading into the final round of the Shute Shield preliminary season that’s exactly what he has done after debuting against minor premiers Gordon in round one.
“I haven’t had an injury at all. It’s been so good, to finally get back into it,” said Williams, a Junior Wallaby in 2019 and with Australian schools and under 18s between 2017 and 2018.
COMEBACK: How this rugby speedster rebuilt himself
GREAT STORIES: Behind NRL’s breakout rookies in 2020
“Every time I run onto the field I’m thankful. It’s awesome. To have to go through the rehab it makes it feel all worthwhile.”
A former schoolboy standout at Scots College, Williams had a 2019 to forget, with a bout of glandular fever and then shoulder surgery preventing him from playing for almost a year.
And right when things were taking a turn for the better for the Waratahs development player and Australian Under 20s squad member, coronavirus struck
“At the end of 2019 I went into Waratahs pre-season. It was crazy, intense, and I was hitting my goals,” said Williams, who scored a try against Penrith a fortnight ago.
FLESH EATING BUG: It still gives me grief
SURPRISE HIT: Rugby a family affair for Easts gun
“The gym was going great and I was putting on some kilos and at the start of January I got selected in the Australian 20s.
“I had hoped 2020 was going to be my year. I had worked hard to make sure my body was sweet and ready to go.
“The pandemic was a bit of a backward step.”
But there is good news for the promising lock, raised in Hornsby and played his junior football with Gordon.
I stabbed myself with a pitch fork when in the backyard with my brother and ended up in hospital for two weeks
The young gun appears to have ended an extraordinary run of injury and mishap dating back to his childhood, including stabbing himself in the foot with a pitch fork.
“Through my life I have been injured a bit, I was always in hospital,” said Williams, studying sport and exercise at the University of Technology Sydney.
“I stabbed myself with a pitch fork when in the backyard with my brother and ended up in hospital for two weeks.
“My leg got caught in a bike chain and I’ve broken so many fingers on my hand catching balls, being stepped on or me being stupid on the playground.
“But my shoulder feels a million bucks now and I’m hoping all those injuries as in the past now.”
Easts host Randwick at Woollahra Oval on Saturday in a battle for a better position in the Shute Shield finals which start the following weekend.